Politics
Topics
-
AfghanistanDeveloping a Top-down Democracy
With international support, the government in Kabul has launched a programme to set up democratic structures at the local level. A major challenge will be to overcome the country's tradition of separating men and women. By Hannelore Börgel
-
Germany
Fighting Poverty with Renewable Energy
At the 2004 Renewables conference in Bonn experts from 130 countries discuss ways of alleviating poverty in developing countries and reducing their dependency on expensive oil imports.
-
Human Rights
Governments Are Losing Their Moral Compass
Governments and armed groups have launched a war on global values, destroying the human rights of ordinary people, Amnesty International said as it released its annual assessment of human rights worldwide.
-
Afghanistan
Germany Strengthens Commitment to Afghan Police
With Germany heading the international drive for a new Afghan police force, Interior Minister Otto Schily pledged more money and equipment for Kabul and vowed German police would stay "as long as they are needed."
-
Opinion
Israel Faces a Growing Barrage of Criticism
The UN Security Council has passed a resolution condemning Israel's killing of civilians and demolition of homes in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. abstained - a sign that its normally staunch support for Israel is fading. A commentary by Peter Philipp
-
Background
Psychological Warfare Goes Online
While some terrorism experts describe the online video of the beheading of an American as an isolated incident, others see it as an example of long-established psychological warfare tactics. By Mathis Winkler
-
Iran
The Reform of the Conservatives
During the past few years, Iran’s reformists promised a lot but were able to implement little. However, after they have lost the parliamentary elections it is doubtful whether the change in power will have much effect. By Katajun Amirpur
-
Opinion
The EU Cannot Remain Silent on Torture in Iraq
The European Union has been silent so far about the torture allegations against U.S. and UK troops in Iraq. Both Germany and the EU must take decisive action against abuses of human rights - or lose credibility. A commentary by Peter Philipp
-
Sudan
War, Refugees and Hunger instead of Peace
The government of Sudan came under fire by the publication of two reports on the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region. Human Rights Watch accused Khartoum of ethnic cleansing. A UN report accused the government of deliberately starving civilians. By Ludger Schadomsky
-
Europe-Med Forum
Renewed Push for Middle East Ceasefire
Stability in the Middle East and the fight against terrorism top the agenda at a meeting between EU foreign ministers and representatives from southern Mediterranean states in Dublin on Thursday.
-
USA/Iraq
"This Does Not Represent the America I Know"
In interviews given to two Arab television stations, US President Bush has called the abuse of Iraqi prison inmates by US troops "abhorrent". Bush promised that those responsible for the abuses would be brought to justice but he stopped short of apologising. In the Arab world, distrust remains.
-
Iran
A Return to Pragmatism
The presidency of Mohammed Khatami has brought a fresh wind to tense relations between the Islamic Republic and the rest of the Arab world. Bahman Nirumand describes the stations of this foreign policy shift and explains why the founding of an Islamic state in Iran led to its long political isolation by the Arab states.
Most read articles
-
Women in Egypt
The long and bumpy road to gender equality
-
Interview with the Moroccan writer Mahi Binebine
Forging a future
-
Caroline Link's Film "Exit Marrakech"
Understanding the Cultural "Other"
-
Syrian anti-war video "To Our Countries"
Embarrassing media hype
-
Hamed Abdel-Samad: The Downfall of the Islamic World
A Blatant Lack of Objectivity
-
Interview with political scientist Abdalhadi Alijla
Trust in the state is a precious commodity