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The Democratic Hopes of Iraqis

While neither American nor Iraqi security officials have yet found a way to stop sectarian violence in the country, the Iraqi public is increasingly drawn toward a vision of a democratic, non-sectarian government. Mansoor Moaddel reports

The Long Shadow of the Authoritarian Past

Iraq had a vibrant civil society and rich layers of secular political argument in the pre-Saddam era. These key ingredients must be reclaimed if democracy is to take root in the Middle East.

A Tightrope Walk Toward Democracy

Currently, an end to the Iraq conflict is nowhere in sight. Yet in some parts of the country there are signs of political normalization and an economic revival. Qantara.de spoke with Professor Ferhad Ibrahim upon his return from Iraq.

How Children See War

A few weeks after the end of the war in Iraq, journalist Philipp Abresch travelled to Baghdad and gave cameras to Iraqi children and young people. Innumerable photos from the crisis-torn region are focusing on the civilian population.

"The Iraqi People Must Develop Consensus!"

During his visit to the United Arab Emirates Germany's Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer gave an Interview to the television channel Al Arabia calling on Iraq and Saudi Arabia's neighbours to play a decisive role in helping stabilize the region

The End of a Long Beginning

A dialogue between Armenians and Turks on the Armenian genocide appears to be an impossible prospect – but academics on both sides are showing that the opposite is the case. Wolfgang Gust reports

Roadmap to Peace?

Armenia and Turkey have a history steeped in conflicts. Now the two countries' governments are on the brink of reconciliation – but peace will be impossible without the involvement of other players, writes Ömer Erzeren from Istanbul

"It's Time to Forget This War"

In the Berg Karabakh region, where Armenians are a majority, the war has long been over. But the conflict continues to smolder. Armenians as well as Azerbaijanians are ready to wage war, if necessary. Andreas Brenner reports from Berg Karabakh

A Feeling of Powerlessness

About two years after the assassination of the prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, many Armenians are sceptical about the chances of being given equal status in state, society, and the eyes of the law. Günter Seufert sends us this report

Irony-free, Blunt Myth-Making

Zülfü Livaneli's filmic portrayal of the life of Atatürk, "Veda", is missing the most interesting aspect: the fragility that makes an historic giant such as Atatürk personally tangible, writes Amin Farzanefar