Politics

France's Middle East Policy

"Chirac of Arabia" Era at an End

A "slip-up with an announcement," wrote the French newspaper Libération of a faux pas by the Socialist presidential candidate Ségolène Royal during her first Middle East trip. Götz Nordbruch on France's Mideast policy options
Malek Chebel's "L'Islam et la Raison"

"Which Islam Is the Right One for Tomorrow?"

Malek Chebel is one of the best-known Arab intellectuals in France. In his latest book, "L'Islam et la Raison" (Islam and Reason), he turns his attention once again to his favorite subject: the compatibility of Islam with modernity. A review by Susan Javad
A New Model for Dialogue

"No Taboos and No False Politeness"

Farish Noor of the German Center for Modern Oriental Studies, has initiated what he calls a new model for dialogue, taking more time and incorporating partners that were previously left to watch from the sidelines. Anna Zwenger reports
Ahmadinejad's Cultural Revolution

Increased Level of Repression

Since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took office, pressure on Iran's cultural sector has been continually increased, bringing cultural life to a virtual standstill. Intellectuals and students are now publicly voicing their protest. Bahman Nirumand reports
Interview with Hussam Itani

Trying to Find a Common Denominator

After the murder of Rafik al-Hariri in February 2005 the old coalition between the fractions al-Hariri, Walid Jumblat, and Syria broke down. Mona Sarkis interviewed Hussam Itani, a columnist for the Lebanese newspaper As-Safir, about the new alliances
Interview with Heiner Bielefeldt

"A Ban on Torture Is an Absolute Ban"

Heiner Bielefeldt is the director of the German Institute for Human Rights. In this interview with Mona Naggar, he talks about the rule of law in times of terror, about the headscarf ban, and religious minority rights
Egypt's Hijab Debate

"Islam Is Not a Dress"

Earlier this month Egyptian Cultural Minister Farouk Hosni said that the headscarf is a "symbol of backwardness". The minister, who was quoted in an independent daily, said he was only stating his personal opinion and not a religious view. Reem Nada reports
Holocaust Conference in Teheran

A Circus for Deniers

The "Holocaust Conference" in Teheran was less a meeting of minds and more of a "traveling circus" of Holocaust deniers who are not taken seriously anywhere, says Peter Philipp
Ceasefire in the Middle East

Signs of Attrition

The Gaza Strip remains under siege. With Hamas and Fatah apparently incapable of compromise, it's likely that the current ceasefire in the Middle East will not withstand the next storm. A commentary by Christian Sterzing
International Day of Human Rights

A Dam Breach for the Rule of Law

After 9/11 a great number of constitutional democracies have approved many national security policy measures at the expense of civil liberties – a development that brings the threat of barbarism straight to our doorstep, says Ulrike Mast-Kirschning
Islamic Economy

For Muslims, Profit Is Not a Dirty Word

Many Muslim economists criticize the dominant western economic systems that are forced upon other cultures. They demand a fundamentally different, Islamic economic system. By Sibylle Pohly-Bergstresser
Reactions to the Pope's Visit to Turkey

In the Best Interests of Both Sides

While the Roman Catholic Church welcomes the Pope's visit as a chance to mend its damaged relationship with the Muslims, the Turkish government is taking advantage of the opportunity to present the Pope as chief witness to Turkey being part of Europe. By Ömer Erzeren