Politics

Sharia in Indonesia

Narrow-Mindedness versus Diversity

The introduction of Sharia-based regional laws in several Indonesian provinces has aggravated the sociopolitical climate in the world's most densely populated Muslim country. Yet it has also aroused resistance, as Christina Schott from Jakarta reports
Journalists in War Zones

A Deadly Grey Area

With military conflicts growing increasingly complex, the safety of journalists in battle zones and troubled areas is becoming a major issue. More and more, journalists and media workers are moving in a deadly grey area. By Petra Tabeling
Germany's Colonial History in the Mediterranean

A Place in the Orient

In his new book about the history of Germany's colonial endeavours, historian Malte Fuhrmann examines German political ambitions and strategies in the Orient in the 19th Century. Götz Nordbruch read the book
Row over Book Burning in Turkey

Reactionary Forces Try to Create National Hysteria

Turkish nationalists see their country's liberalization and its moves toward joining the EU as a betrayal. They are joining forces against those they hold responsible for the eclipse of Kemal's legacy, including writers. By Ömer Erzeren
Court Case against Intellectuals in Turkey

Minority Issues a Taboo Subject

There is no end to the wave of court cases against Turkish intellectuals on the alleged grounds of denigrating Turkish identity. Immediately following the Pamuk case, two government advisors were also brought to court last week. Günter Seufert reports
The Reconstruction in Afghanistan

The West's Mistakes and Shortcomings

In October 2001 the Afghanistan military campaign was launched. Today, critics refer to Afghanistan as a vast reeducation camp. Virtually all the moral concepts of the people have been up for discussion or questioned for five years, says Martin Gerner
Islamic Association Milli Görüs

Dialogue with Extremists?

The Islamic Association Milli Görüs in Germany has been classified as extremist by the German intelligence agency, yet it presents itself as being open to dialogue. It is difficult to determine to what extent both claims are true. Report by Rainer Sollich
Reconstructing Lebanon

High Expectations

Despite the stationing of UN troops in Lebanon the population still has no confidence in the peacekeeping capacity. And also the leadership in Beirut comes under increasing pressure since the Lebanese people are waiting for government action to rebuild the country. Bernhard Hillenkamp reports
Shashi Tharoor's Nehru Biography

India's Secular Legacy

In his book "Nehru: The Invention of India", Shashi Tharoor, who has worked at the UN in New York since 1978 and was tipped as a possible successor to UN General Secretary Kofi Annan, goes in search of India's first prime minister. By Gerhard Klas
Interview with Faleh Abdel Jabar

"Denominational Federalism Is Dangerous and Separatist"

Iraq is increasingly struggling with its centrifugal forces. In this interview, Faleh Abdel Jabar, head of the Iraq Institute for Strategic Studies, discusses the various concepts of federalism and how they might work for Iraq. Interview by Youssef Hijazi
Turkey and the Mideast Economy

Arab Petrodollars Move into Istanbul

In the face of the Lebanon crises and Mideast instability, Turkey has become all the more attractive for Middle Eastern investors. Dorian Jones looks at how current trends in Middle Eastern and world politics influence Turkey's economy
Analysis Fred Halliday

The Left and the Jihad

United in their rejection of capitalism and Western imperialism, Islamists and the political Left have – in a more recent development – begun to forge alliances. Taking a closer look at their historical enmity, however, shows that the two do not at all make a good match.
By Fred Halliday