Politics

Islamism in Tunisia

Politically Unbroken

Has Tunisia become a breeding ground for radical groups close to Al Qaeda? This is what people are asking following recent clashes with armed Islamists in the country. Salah ad-Din al-Jourchi looks at the historical causes for the growth of radical Islam in Tunisia
Pervez Musharraf's "In the Line of Fire"

Credibility on the Line?

The translation of Pervez Musharraf's autobiography into Urdu, the official language of Pakistan, was named "Pakistan First". This version, interestingly, did exclude some details previously included in the English edition. Atilla Iftikhar comments
EU's Political Ties with Syria

Tough Negotiations for Partnership Treaty

After almost one year of bargaining and bickering, Syria and the European Union were able to initiate a partnership treaty - the US continues its sanctions policy. Bernd Riegert reports from Brussels
Accession Negotiations in Crisis

Will Turkey Find Its Way to Europe?

At the close of 2006, the EU commission presented its progress report on Turkey's accession to the EU, identifying the country's achievements as well as failures. Andreas Marchetti reports on the background and prospects of the negotiations
Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution

"We Use Any Methods We Are Allowed to under the Law"

Heinz Fromm is director of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany's domestic intelligence agency. He told Peter Philipp about the policy his agency follows in dealing with Islamist terrorism
The International Criminal Court and Darfur

A Perfidious International Statute

Two years ago the International Criminal Court started to investigate war crimes in the Sudanese conflict zone of Darfur. Klaus Dahmann spoke with the French international law expert and ICC Darfur Commission member Hadi Shalluf about the state of the investigations
Women in the Afghan Parliament

In Search of Allies

In Afghanistan's new parliament one in four members are woman. But this figure does nothing to tackle the multiple problems female politicians have to deal with. Martin Gerner reports from Kabul
Capital Punishment for Dictators?

The Pitfalls of International Law

Unlike Slobodan Milosevic, Saddam Hussein was not tried under international law, a decision that has been widely criticized. But legal action against former dictators is a rather complicated matter, as Daphne Antachopoulos reports
Syria's Youth Opposition

Informers at the University Coffee Shop

The younger generation of dissidents does not even have a political program – but in Bashar Assad's Syria, merely showing some self-initiative is enough to arouse suspicion. Jan Marron reports
Tunisia and the European Union

Precarious Contradiction

For ten years now Tunisia has been the EU's biggest financial beneficiary. But why is it that the money that was intended to boost Tunisia's economy is being used to exercise political oppression, asks Mokhtar Yahyaoui
Commentary by Raja Ben Slama

They Love Their Dictators More Than Themselves!

When political parties that call themselves democratic, including Islamist ones, mourn the "martyr and hero" Saddam Hussein, we have to ask ourselves what kind of political future awaits us, says Raja Ben Slama in her commentary
Gujarat Turmoil

Victims Are Taunted, Perpetrators Go Free

After an arson attack on a train carrying Hindu pilgrims last year, an estimated 2,200 Muslims died in the anti-Islamic pogroms that followed. The ensuing court cases did not bring the perpetrators to justice. Bernhard Imhasly reports