Politics
Topics
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Hamas' Financial CrisisWindow-Dressing in the Middle East
A decision by the Middle East diplomatic quartet to create a temporary mechanism to deliver aid to the Palestinians will not help ease the desperation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, writes Peter Philipp in his commentary
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World Press Freedom Day
Libya's Forgotten Man
Since 1969 Colonel Gaddafi has taken a hard line against troublesome representatives of the media. This uncompromising stance is exemplified by his treatment of the Libyan journalist Abdullah Ali al-Sanussi Al-Darrat, who has been missing since 1973. By Hamid Skif
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The Media in Iraq
Freedom of Expression under Attack
Kidnappings, murder, and terror – to date almost 90 journalists have been killed in Iraq, more than in any other conflict. Two thirds of the victims were Iraqi nationals. Petra Tabeling reports
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Analysis Nadje Al-Ali
Total Inversion of Cultural Codes and Moral Values in Iraq
Life has changed dramatically for women in Iraq, not only due the the war, but also due to the sanctions regime. Nadje Al-Ali, Marie Jahoda Guest Professor for International Women’s Research at the Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany, in 2003, has analysed the situation
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Conference on Terrorism in the Philippines
"An Evil Hiding in the Shadows"
In the Philippines officials and experts from more than 50 nations were holding a meeting on ways to better focus the battle against international and regional terrorism which experts describe as an "evil hiding in the shadows". Douglas Bakshian reports
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Kurdish Unrest in Turkey
Political Solutions Recede into the Distance
The renewed outbreak of armed conflict with the PKK has raised tensions in the southeast of Turkey and forced those calling for further democratic and political reforms to take a defensive position. Ömer Erzeren reports in full
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"In the Rose Garden of the Martyrs"
Iran's Lost Generation
Though Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's thinking may be hard to tolerate, Christopher de Bellaigue does enable us to understand it. Katajun Amirpur has read his recent "Memoir of Iran"
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Saudi Arabia
Understanding the Current Political Opening
In recent years international and domestic reform demands have injected new elements of openness into Saudi Arabia's political reality – but they have not altered the authoritarian nature of the political system fundamentally. By Amr Hamzawy
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"Islam at the Crossroads"
A Look at Internal Islamic Discourses
Islam can be reformed — this is the main thesis of the new book "Islam at the Crossroads". This collection brings together short portraits of leading Muslim figures, offering insights into the current debates within Islam. A review by Martina Sabra
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Nuclear Conflict with Iran
The Time Has Come for Direct Negotiations
Talks in Moscow have ended inconclusively. And Iran is still ignoring the UN ultimatum. In order not to let the conflict escalate any further, diplomatic solutions are needed now more than ever, according to Peter Philipp
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Muslim Youths in France
Immigration for the Elite Only
Following last year's riots, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin promised better opportunities for disadvantaged Muslim youths. But the latest proposals would actually make it more difficult for them to integrate into society. By Florian Wagner
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Analysis Michael Lüders
Islamism in Central Asia
In his new book, Michael Lüders focuses, in particular, on the states of Central Asia: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. He analyses why there are radical Islamic movements in these regions and how highly flammable flashpoints come about there