Politics

Corruption in Egypt

Fighting Bribery out of Self-Interest

The fight against corruption in Egypt mostly only serves individual interests. An audit office exists, but it is not independent. There are, however, sings of change. Frederik Richter reports from Cairo
Kazakhstan's Political Landslide

Majority Rule?

Kazakhstan's relative prosperity and stability have given Nursultan Nazarbayev another landslide victory. Some dissident voices among the acclaim.
By Joanna Lillis
10 Years Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

The Sights Have Been Drastically Lowered

Concerning the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, talk in 1995 was about achieving a "partnership." Today mention is only made of being "neighbors." And very few of the many dreams from the founding days still remain. Peter Philipp comments
Interview with the Saudi Reformer Taufiq Al-Seif

"Everyone Is Waiting for Political and Social Reforms"

Taufiq Al-Seif considers that domestic and foreign support for the new Saudi king, as well as a favourable economic and social situation, mean that conditions are right for the renewal of the country's political and social system. He spoke to Hassan Mustafa
Drug Economy in Afghanistan

"It's a Matter of Development, Not Counter-Narcotics"

The battle against the drug economy in Afghanistan has failed so far. The Senlis Council, a think tank for international drug policy, has made a surprisingly simple proposal: poppy cultivation should not be suppressed, but put under state control. Tillmann Elliesen interviewed Emmanuel Reinert, Executive Director of the Senlis Council
Turkey's EU Accession

Turkish Foreign Minister Gül Meets Merkel

Turkey's Foreign minister Abdullah Gül has made a three-day visit to Germany in an attempt to explore common political ground with the new government of incoming chancellor Angela Merkel. Uwe Hessler reports
10 Years Barcelona Process

Mixed Results

With currently 25 EU members and 10 Mediterranean countries participating in the project, the Barcelona process is something of a diplomatic masterwork in European multilateralism. Ten years after its initiation, Isabel Schäfer takes stock
Bangladesh

Journalists and Freedom of the Press under Threat

Bangladesh is regarded as the most dangerous country in Asia, if not the whole world, for journalists to work. Whoever reports on corruption and crime in this country has to fear for their job, health, and even their life. Christoph Heinzle reports
Ten Years Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

Questioning the State of the Cooperation

Commentators in the Arab world are increasingly criticising that the EU has been reducing the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to a joint struggle against terrorism, drug-trading and illegal immigration. By Götz Nordbruch
Germany Debates the Riots in France

Religion Is Hardly a Factor

In the wake of the violence in France, several German media suggest that the source of this supposed threat is connected to Islam. Peter Philipp disagrees and argues the socio-political conditions are the main factor for the riots
Parliamentary Elections in Egypt

Islamists Integrated into Government?

In Egypt, polls opened on 9 November for the first round of the three-stage parliamentary elections. The role of the Muslim Brotherhood could prove to be decisive. Veit Medick reports
UN Resolution against Syria

The Dilemma Facing Bashar al Assad

The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution demanding Syria's full cooperation with the UN investigation into the Hariri murder case. The demand could uproot Assad's power base.
By Abdel Mottaleb El Hussein