Politics

Commentary Sanou Mbaye

Sub-Saharan Africa's Leadership to Nowhere

The IMF's and the World Bank's development strategies are the reason for sub-Saharan Africa's poverty, Sanou Mbaye asserts – as is the centuries-old culture of leadership that is ingrained in many African societies has played an equally disastrous role, he says
Samir Kassir

The Arab Malaise

A year before he was murdered, Samir Kassir published a short book in France under the provocative title "Thoughts on the Arab Malaise". It is written from the viewpoint of one of the shrewdest and most incisive Arab intellectuals. Susan Javad has read it
Resistance in Iraq

Sunni Opposition May Transcend Divisions

The United States has been hoping to exploit the divide between Iraqi patriots and global jihadists, but the Sunni opposition is growing more structured and unified. A background report by Mathieu Guidère, Peter Harling
Militant Islamism in Iraq

Godfathers of Terror

Their sights set on the elections, militant groups in Iraq are now stirring up more violence than ever. Radical Islamists such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi are particularly interested in torpedoing the elections. Alexandra Senfft took a closer look at Zarqawi's networks and his political goals
Al-Jazeera's Lack of Clear Distance to Al Qaida

Protests against the Indictment of Taisir Aluni in Spain

The Arabic television station Al Jazeera has heavily criticized the indictment in Spain of one of its reporters, Taisir Aluni, who is accused of supporting Qaida militants. Victor Kocher reports
Militant Islamism

Giving Life to the Jihad

One global idea, many local terrorist cells. Al Qaida’s attacks are a response to the vacuum created by the mainstreaming of Islamic movements. By Reinhard Schulze
The Economic Policy of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood

Fighting Corruption as an Economic Panacea?

The Muslim Brothers consider the free market economy and the fight against corruption to be the remedy that will cure all of Egypt's economic ills. Nevertheless, they have not as yet presented a concrete programme. Frederik Richter reports from Cairo
Interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski

"Military Option not a Profitable Course of Action"

Zbigniew Brzezinski is one of the United States' most recognized foreign policy analysts. Dennis Stute spoke with Jimmy Carter's former security advisor about the ongoing tensions with Iran and the situation in Iraq
Darfur Peace Accord

Say What You Like on Paper

After almost two years, talks moderated by the African Union on the future of Darfur have finally produced results. Yet many doubt that the government in Khartoum and the rebels are truly serious about making peace. Marc Engelhardt reports
Germany and the Iranian Nuclear Program

Completely Innocent?

Current negotiation on the Iranian nuclear program have raised questions as to what extent German companies have been involved. Peter Philipp discussed the matter with Mark Higgs, an internationally renowned expert on nuclear issues
Election of the Assembly of Experts in Iran

High-Stakes Power Struggle with the Supreme Leader

With their growing influence in the Assembly of Experts, radical Islamic forces are seeking confrontation with conservative pragmatists and thereby even putting pressure on the religious leader Ali Khamenei. By Faraj Sarkohi
The Lebanon Proxy

Buffeted by Its Surroundings

Over the past few weeks, Lebanese politicians from diverse groups have been meeting intermittently in what has been dubbed a "National Dialogue." But what their dialogue has exposed is how much Lebanese politics continues to be shaped by external forces. An analysis by Michael Young