Politics

″Islamic State″: lessons learnt

What chance a Muslim reformation?

Muslims who describe IS as un-Islamic and declare that it has nothing to do with genuine Islam cannot deny that many of their fellow believers identify with the image of Islam promoted by the jihadists and their ideology. A thorough examination of the Muslim faith is long overdue. By Hakim Khatib
By Hakim Khatib
Iran and the Revolutionary Guard

Pulling the economy's strings

They may dress in clerical garb or call themselves the "Seal of the Prophet", but their focus is on a different kind of profit. Religious foundations and the Revolutionary Guard are running Iran's business. Thomas Kohlmann reports
By Thomas Kohlmann
Elections in Iran

Even Khomeini can be disqualified

The moderate cleric Hassan Khomeini has been excluded as a candidate for the Assembly of Experts in Iran, even though he is the grandson of the nation's founder. This example shows why it so difficult for the moderates and reformists to assert themselves against the country's conservative establishment. By Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Iran′s image in the Arab world

Conservative regime and open-minded society

The Kuwaiti analyst Shafeeq Ghabra believes that the real strength of Iran is its society, which is much more emancipated than the regime and more open-minded than the ruling mullahs. Iranian society is not only young, but also more secular than any Arab society
By Shafeeq Ghabra
Interview with Martin Kobler, UN Special Representative on Libya

"Libya must not become the Syria of tomorrow"

In view of the advance of IS in Libya, the UN's Special Representative on Libya, Martin Kobler, warns of the need for swift action: the Libyan state must reinstate its monopoly on the use of force to enable it to take appropriate counter measures. Karim El-Gawhary spoke to the German diplomat
By Karim El-Gawhary
Islam′s non-violent tradition

Neglected heritage

In view of the threat of Islamist terrorism, Muslim intellectuals and leaders who emphasise non-violence and democracy tend to be ignored internationally. They deserve attention. Some Muslim traditions actually fit modernity quite well. By Hans Dembowski
By Hans Dembowski
Iraqi Kurdistan in political and economic crisis

Barzani′s sinking ship

The ongoing political and economic crisis in northern Iraq is forcing many Kurds to flee. Instead of fighting the causes of the exodus from Iraqi Kurdistan, however, the Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani is relying on patriotism and empty promises. Birgit Svensson reports from Erbil
By Birgit Svensson
Syria conflict

Feigning helplessness

Claims by Western diplomats that the Syria conflict can only be solved politically and not militarily are misleading. While the West foots the bill for the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Assad regime, Russian President Putin creates a situation on the ground to further its interests. A commentary by Markus Bickel
By Markus Bickel
President Bouteflika and Algeria′s future

The sick man of the Mediterranean

The ongoing struggle for power between Algeria′s president and the country′s secret service may for the time being have been won by Abdelaziz Bouteflika. But the question as to who holds the reins of power in Algeria remains. The president or the omnipresent armed forces? An analysis by Gianni del Panta
By Gianni Del Panta
Turkey: interview with Bilgin Ayata

No haven for refugees

Turkey′s military has been leading operations in the east of the country for months. The clashes have cost hundreds of lives so far. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to Bilgin Ayata, assistant professor of political sociology at Basel University, about the political motivation behind the conflict and its impact on Turkey′s citizens
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Turkey′s campaign against the PKK

Siege tactics

Hundreds dead, whole districts reduced to rubble. That’s the outcome of Turkey′s military campaign in its south-east. For two months now, the predominantly Kurdish region has been under a curfew imposed by the Turkish army. Tom Stevenson reports from Diyarbakir
By Tom Stevenson
Syria and Geneva III

The great pretenders

As the Geneva III peace talks get underway, there is no sign that the conference will secure an end to the violence in Syria. The Assad regime can participate safe in the knowledge that it has nothing to fear. A commentary by Bente Scheller
By Bente Scheller