Politics

Nationalism over Reason

Turkey Fails Again on the Kurdish Issue

In response to the latest clashes between Kurds and police, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan poured oil on the fire when he gave security forces permission to act against Kurdish women and children. A commentary by Baha Güngör
Afghan Convert Controversy

A Counter-Perspective on Apostasy in Islam

The controversy over the Afghan Muslim convert to Christianity has brought to the fore the issue of the Islamic law of apostasy. According to the dominant view of the Muslim scholars, the punishment for a Muslim apostate is death. By Yoginder Sikand
Water Conflicts in the Middle East

"There Will Be No Solution without the Exchange of Ideas"

North Africa and the Middle East will have enough drinking water for generations – if resources are sparingly used and efficiently managed. Fathi Zereini, a Germany-based mineralogist from Palestine, elaborates on the outlook
Parliamentary Elections in Israel

Arab Israelis Lose Trust in the Political Process

Every four years, extreme right-wing Jewish politicians try to boost their election chances with anti-Arab publicity stunts. What's more, a large number of political parties have long since embraced the idea of expatriating Arab Israelis. Igal Avidan reports
The Release of Abdul Rahman

Afghan Legal Principles under Examination

After having been threatened with a death sentence as a punishment for his conversion from Islam to Christianity, Abdul Rahman has been set free. Peter Philipp argues that the case continues to raise fundamental questions about the "Afghanistan Project"
European Migration Policy

Tighter EU Borders Forcing Refugees to Take Bigger Risks

With every new influx of refugees from Africa, the EU is under increased pressure. Help in containing the problem seems to follow swiftly, but mostly in the form of funding for increased policing and border security. Steffen Leidel reports
Iraq's Political Future

Civil War or Hope?

Three years after the start of the Iraq war, the country finds itself standing before an uncertain future and faced with a wide range of problems. Peter Philipp explains the current situation
Afghan Convert Trial

Germany Gripped

It may be taking place thousands of miles away, but the trial of an Afghan convert to Christianity in Kabul and a possible looming death sentence have whipped up emotions in Germany and other Western nations. Sonia Phalnikar reports
"Toshka" Irrigation Project

How Egypt Plans to Make the Desert Bloom

With its ambitious "Toshka" project, Egypt's government intends to tame the desert and make it fertile using water from the Nile – but at what price? Hassan Znined reports
Naturalization Process in Germany

Citizenship Test Must Have Equal Standards

Germany should introduce a test for immigrants seeking German citizenship. But it should be the result of a national debate about what's fair to demand of all foreigners - not just Muslims, says Deanne Corbett
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

Deserted in Western Sahara

Thirty years since the declaration of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic the people of this "non-country" are still waiting for peaceful independence and expecting war.
By Saeed Taji Farouky
Roger Willemsen's "Guantanamo Speaking"

Back to the Dark Ages: Open Season on Prisoners

In his book "Guantanamo Speaking", Roger Willemsen lets former inmates in the American prison camp have their say – creating a comprehensive document of an era stained by the perfidy of humiliation and torture. By Martin Gerner