Politics

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
Joschka Fischer:

What Now in the Middle East?

When the US intervened militarily in Iraq in 1991, the intention was to effect fundamental change in the entire region. Today it is clear that hardly any aspect of this policy has succeeded. Joschka Fischer reports
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
AIDS in Iran

Dubious Education

AIDS has long ceased being a taboo topic in Iran. The state has made efforts to bring the problem under control. However, official statements and social reality are still worlds apart. Shahram Ahadi reports
Sudan/Chad

War Without Borders

Violence is escalating in Darfur in western Sudan and in eastern Chad. Although both conflicts have very different origins, they are mutually fuelling aggression on both sides of the border. Marc Engelhardt reports
Lebanon

A Country Divided

In the wake of recent events, Lebanon is now confronting a new crisis that is splitting the country into two camps. This time, however, it's not different faiths that are squaring off, as in the civil war of the 1980s. Bernhard Hillenkamp reports
World Bank Report

International Migration as Challenge and Opportunity

By analyzing the economic implications of migration, the World Bank concludes that migrants are more of a boon than a burden to the world economy. And, if properly managed, it says migration can help reduce poverty. By Lisa Schlein
Interview with Samina Ahmed

"Karzai Must Win Back the Trust of his People"

In order to get Afghanistan back on track, President Hamid Karsai will have to tackle corruption in earnest and make his government accountable and transparent, says Samina Ahmed, political analyst, in this interview with Qantara.de
Relations between the Arab World and Turkey

Turkey as Model for the Middle East?

The Arab world's long years of disinterest and mistrust in Turkish politics are coming to an end, especially since AK party chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan was elected prime minister. Rainer Hermann explains why