Politics

The Turkish Presidential Election

Teetering on the Brink of Chaos

In Turkey, the process of electing the country's president has been accompanied by ongoing demonstrations against the ruling AKP. Attila Azrak spoke to Ertuğrul Kürkçü, site coordinator of the independent communications network bianet.org, about the situation
Sarkozy's Position on France's Colonial History

A Potpourri of Contradictions

Searching for a new direction for his foreign policy towards the former colonial states of North Africa, the president of France has become tangled in contradictory statements and promises. Bernhard Schmid reports
Middle East Peace Process

Palestine's House Divided

Efforts to re-start the peace process in the Middle East now confront a stark new reality: two mutually hostile Palestinian entities in Hamas-ruled Gaza and the Fatah-led West Bank must be factored into the process. Mkhaimar Abusada comments
Journalists in Afghanistan under Duress

Is Karzai Sacrificing the Freedom of the Press?

The freedoms that independent media in Afghanistan have struggled to achieve over the past few years are now melting away like snow in the sun, writes Martin Gerner from Kabul
Musharraf and the Islamists

The General Forced to Make a Move

Pakistan could face a civil war. The army has squandered its reputation as savior of the nation and the General is under pressure to act. A commentary by Bernard Imhalsy
Darfur: The "Ambiguous" Genocide

Pessimist Manifesto

In his book on the war in Darfur, Gérard Prunier, an expert on Africa and genocide, laments the international community's inability to provide effective protection for the conflict's victims. Annette Weber comments
Release of the Bulgarian Nurses from Libyan Jail

A Lesson in Ruthless Special Interest Politics

The future of the EU's much-hailed "common foreign policy" has been placed at risk by France's independent negotiations with the Qaddafi regime and the upgrading of its status through Sarkozy's state visit. Andreas Zumach comments
Sweeping Election Victory for the AKP in Turkey

Firmly Rooted in Mainstream Society

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP bolstered its share of the vote in Turkey's parliamentary election thereby becoming the balancing power in Turkey. Günter Seufert reports from Istanbul
Elections in Turkey

Beyond Kemalism

Election results in Turkey have put to rest the lie that the AKP is merely an obscure Islamic secret society. Yet, the results also present a great danger. The newly found strength of the AKP will be difficult to control, says Ömer Erzeren
The Front National and Arab Immigrants

A 'Muslim Vote' for Le Pen?

France's right-wing Front National has slowly changed its stance towards Arab immigrants and has even accepted some as party members. What is the idea behind this new strategy, and, does it work? Götz Nordbruch takes a look
France's Right Wing and the Cartoon Controversy

Plea for Blasphemy Clauses

The right wing in France is using the cartoon controversy as a pretense to take up arms against the republic's secular mindset. Details from Bernhard Schmid in Paris
Sarkozy in Africa

French President Calls for New Trans-Mediterranean Partnership

The French President Nicholas Sarkozy revealed during his last trip to both Algeria and Tunisia four factors integral to a project designed to unite the countries on the Mediterranean basin which he proposed to both presidents Boutiflika and Ben Ali. Salim Boukhdir reports