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The Abhorrent Exception to the Rule

German officials have reacted well to the alleged desecration of a skull by German soldiers in Afghanistan, writes Peter Philipp in his commentary. He hopes the authorities in Kabul will follow suit

No Unified "Muslim Vote"

None of the twelve candidates in the French presidential elections could count on the undivided support of the Islamic associations. And neither Sarkozy nor Royal can be sure of Muslim votes in the run-off on 6 May. By Götz Nordbruch

"Chirac of Arabia" Era at an End

A "slip-up with an announcement," wrote the French newspaper Libération of a faux pas by the Socialist presidential candidate Ségolène Royal during her first Middle East trip. Götz Nordbruch on France's Mideast policy options

Resistance from the Suburbs

During the recent presidential election in France, the mainly Muslim immigrants of the suburbs were unusually active in mobilising against Nicolas Sarkozy. But in the recent parliamentary elections, their involvement was much reduced. Bernhard Schmid reports

Mystery Days

Over four months have passed since the government reported fierce gun battles between the police and an armed group in a suburb to the south of Tunis. And still today, no one in Tunisia knows what really happened. Slim Boukhdhir reports

Home to the "Islamic Calvinists"

During the last decade Kayseri has become one of the industrial centres of Turkey. But what is remarkable is that economic success has gone in hand in hand with adherence to Islamic principles. Dorian Jones reports

"No Military Victory in Sight"

The UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tom Koenigs, says the Afghans need to be placed as quickly as possible in a position where they can fight out the conflict with the Taliban on their own. Martin Gerner met with him in Kabul

West Needs Coordinated Afghan Policy, Merkel Says

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on NATO members to improve coordination of military and civil elements in crisis areas such as Afghanistan. She stressed that Germany would not lift restrictions on troops in the country

Fear of "Gentle Revolutionaries"

The Syrian regime has been waging war on the opposition for several weeks in fear that it could endanger the position of President Bashar Al Assad – by supporting Washington in its efforts to effect regime change from outside. Kristin Helberg reports

Incitement to Violence as Free Speech

In January, the Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was shot by a nationalist in Turkey, but the people behind the murder have still not been caught. In Berlin, Henriette Wrege met Hrant Dink's lawyer, Fethiye Cetin