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Russia's Islamic Tradition is Older than Orthodoxy

Five years after author Mark Batunsky died in exile the first comprehensive monograph on Islam in Russia has been published. Gasan Gusejnov attended the book presentation at Lew Kopelew Forum in Cologne, Germany

From Soviet Realism to Global Humanism

Chingiz Aitmatov is one of the best known ambassadors of contemporary literature from Central Asia. The Kyrgyz writer and thinker who rose to worldwide fame with his novella Jamila has now turned 75. A portrait of the artist by Uli Rothfuss

Ruling AKP Under Fire Over Reform Delay

Turkey's ruling party came under fire from the European Commission and women's right groups over a decision to delay penal code reforms because of a row over its plans to criminalise adultery. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul

A Textbook Example of Dialogue between Cultures

Many critics of Turkey's accession to the European Union are ignorant of the country's historical and current political situation – thereby turning a blind eye on the opportunities, argues Monika Griefahn, member of the German Bundestag.

Turkish Government in a Catch-22 Situation

Prime Minister Erdogan has come under international pressure since the terrorist attacks in Istanbul. He stands accused of long underestimating Islamic extremism in his country. By Dilek Zaptcioglu

How Moderate Are the Islamists of Turkey's AKP?

After Erdoğan's sensational election victory, the winning party AKP has claimed it rejects fundamentalism. But is the AKP united when it comes to accepting Western values? And what exactly is "moderate Islam"? By Baha Güngör

Turkish author Asli Erdogan awarded peace prize

Turkish author Asli Erdogan was awarded on Friday with the Erich Maria Remarque Peace Prize in Osnabruck. Surprisingly, the outspoken critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was granted permission at the last minute to travel to Germany to collect the prize.

Journey to al-Ula

Saudi Arabia used to be more isolated than North Korea. Now the country is presenting its friendly face to the world and wooing Western tourists. Text by Karin A. Wenger, photos by Philipp Breu

"It's not our war"

Sudan has become a battleground. But it is not the war of the people who live there, say exiled Sudanese writers Stella Gitano and Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin. By Stefan Dege

Iraq's wounds are slow to heal

20 years after the U.S. invasion, the country between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers is only just beginning to recover from the aftermath. But the road is paved with obstacles. Birgit Svensson reports from Iraq