Politics
Topics
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War in SomaliaMogadischu between Plague and Cholera
For nearly 16 years Somalis have had no choice who governs their country. The invasion by Ethiopian troops has done nothing to change this. The responsibility lies above all with the failure of European diplomacy, says Marc Engelhardt
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Iranian Assembly of Experts Election
The Anti-Fundamentalist Coalition
The election of ex-president Rafsanjani as head of the Assembly of Experts in Teheran has prevented radical Islamic forces from gaining total control over the political system. His election was enabled by a coalition of religious conservatives, pragmatists and reformers, writes Faraj Sarkohi
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Analysis Faraj Sarkohi
The Gulf between Population and Opposition
One of the greatest successes of the Islamic Republic has been its ability to violently suppress the Iranian opposition. This triumph, however, would not have been possible without the assistance of the opposition itself, says Faraj Sarkohi
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Interview with Tom Koenigs
"No Military Victory in Sight"
The UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tom Koenigs, says the Afghans need to be placed as quickly as possible in a position where they can fight out the conflict with the Taliban on their own. Martin Gerner met with him in Kabul
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Economic Development in Syria
Crawling towards a Market Economy
Syria would have to liberalise its economy swiftly in order to avert collapse. But the reformists are hampered by the rusty structures left behind by 40 years of socialism. Gabriela M. Keller reports
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Putin, Assad and the fall of Aleppo
Masters of disinformation
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Turkish Television Series: Muhteşem Yüzyil
Too Much Sex, Too Little Heroism
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Sex tourism in Egypt
A bride for the summer
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The Documentary Film ''In the Bazaar of Sexes''
Temporary Marriage in Iran
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Weapons exports to Israel
"Unlawful arms export licences have likely been issued"
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Iraqi women filmmakers
The power of stories and moving images