Politics

Hamas-Israel Truce

Mideast Peace Still Very Elusive

Israel has accepted an Egyptian-brokered truce with Hamas Islamists ruling the Gaza Strip and plans to open peace talks with Lebanon. Deutsche Welle's Rainer Sollich reflects on what these overtures actually mean
Paris Afghanistan Conference

End of the "Standard Procedure" Principle

The Afghanistan conference in Paris saw pledges of a further 21 billion dollars from the international community. The aid is to be spent more effectively and precisely than to date over the next five years. A report by the Afghanistan expert Martin Gerner
EU Accession Negotiations with Turkey

A Wasted Year

While the European Union criticises the lack of far-reaching reforms in Turkey, Ankara warns of EU fatigue among its citizens. The negotiations surrounding the accession of Turkey to the EU are making very little progress. Daniela Schröder sums up the gloomy atmosphere in Brussels and Ankara
Tom Segev

A Hundred-year Ceasefire among Enemies

Speaking at an event in Berlin, the Israeli historian and Haaretz journalist Tom Segev explained that most Israelis are in favour of "pragmatic talks with the enemy". Ariana Mirza met up with the "New Historian" and introduces his work
State of Emergency Extended in Egypt

Autocrat in Dire Straits

During his election campaign, President Mubarak had pledged to revoke the state of emergency and replace it with anti-terrorism legislation. Instead, it has now been extended for the second time. Information from Jürgen Stryjak in Cairo
Interview with Sari Nusseibeh

"Human Values Unite, Religious Values Divide!"

The prominent Palestinian professor of philosophy Sari Nusseibeh appeals for pragmatic solutions of the Middle East conflict – especially for the refugee problem. An interview by Mohanan Hamed and Adham Manasreh
Opinion

Gadhafi's Checkbook Diplomacy

Berlin and Libya have reached a deal on compensation for victims of the 1986 La Belle disco bombing, which left three dead and 200 injured, but a confession is still not forthcoming. A commentary by Peter Philipp
Libya

Did Economic Sanctions Incite Political Change?

According to reports, in the case of Iraq economic sanctions have cost the lives of thousands. But if the words of Libya's Secretary General Ghanem can be given any credence, they have lead to Tripoli opening up to the West and free market reforms. Erik Campano has the report
Interview with Volker Perthes

Hopeful Signs for the Middle East

The conflicting parties in Lebanon agreed on a compromise for the future division of power; Syria and Israel have started peace talks. In this interview with Abed Othman, Volker Perthes talks about current developments and the interdependencies of Mideast politics
Lebanese Peace Deal in Doha

Doubts about the Stability of the Compromise Are Justified

The pro-Western government in Lebanon and Hezbollah have reached an agreement on the formation of a new government and a new electoral law. Peter Philipp is skeptical
Political and Economic Crisis in Yemen

On the Brink

Fighting in the north, food riots, and shocking child marriages are currently drawing media attention to an obviously unstable country which has long been heading for collapse. Philipp Schweers reports from Sana'a
The Day that Brought the War Back to Life

Is the Past Catching up with Lebanon?

Ever since the recent outbreak of violence, Lebanon has been stricken with fear of a new civil war. The writer Hassan Dawud is arts editor of Al-Mustaqbal, the newspaper whose offices were set on fire. Hassan Dawud reports