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Fears Grow that EU Membership Would Equate to a Sell-Out of National Interests

For fear of losing national sovereignty, Turks are increasingly critical of the country's possible accession to the EU; Euro-sceptics are warning of a sell-out of national interests. Susanne Güsten reports from Istanbul

Is Ankara Losing its Reform Zeal?

With the start of EU accession talks scheduled for later this year, Turkey's critics say its reform zest appears to be waning. But could it simply be a case that the drone of domestic politics has taken over? By Samira Lazarovic

Shiites, Kurds Dominate Iraq Vote

US and British leaders praised Iraqi election results that handed a victory to a coalition of Shiite parties. But some European commentators worried about instability and the country's disenfranchised Sunni minority.

A Touch of the Orient

With their much talked about debut album "Per Se", Berlin-based jazz ensemble Cyminology created a successful blend of jazz and oriental elements. But has the concept been carried over for the second album? Ralf Dombrowski has been listening to "Bemun"

Inside the Pandora's Box

Lebanon has produced a new generation of filmmakers that grew up in an atmosphere of violence and armed conflict. Accordingly, as Mona Sarkis reports from the Face à Face Festival in Germany, the main driving forces for their remarkable creativity are anger and anxiety

Membership Process under Pressure

This week two new chapters in Turkey's EU membership negotiations were opened, but with the French taking over presidency of the EU for the second half of the year resistance to Turkey's entry looks set to increase in 2008. Daniela Schröder has the details

The Uranium Curse

A Tuareg revolt, coveted uranium resources, geopolitical rivalries, endemic poverty: is Niger becoming the latest patient in Africa's emergency-ward, asks Tristan McConnell in Agadez

"Unfavourable Trends in Morocco Can Still Be Reversed"

On September 7th a new parliament will be elected in Morocco. What may change should the Islamist forces gain strength, as has been predicted? Martina Sabra spoke with the French political scientist Malika Zeghal

Watch Out Hollywood, Here Comes Nollywood

South Africa might be the special focus at this year's Berlin film festival, but the continent's movie industry epicenter seems to lie further north: Thousands of low-budget pictures are released in Nigeria every year.

Qantara Dossier: Syrian Civil War