Society

Al-Qaeda's PR Strategy on the Internet

Free Propaganda

The violent Islamists of al-Qaeda, the notorious international terror network, may be accused of promoting an antiquated ideology, but when it comes to the movement's PR strategy, they adhere to the most modern standards. Alfred Hackensberger reports
Interview with Johan Galtung

Missed Angles of Conflict Prevention

The media tends to report bad news, and that rewards the perpetrators of violence. Peace initiatives seldom make the headlines. The superficiality of Western reporting means the public does not understand the context of many conflicts. Those are the views of the peace researcher Johan Galtung. He spoke to Claudia Isabel Rittel
Drug Dealing in Lebanon

At Home with a Drug Baron

For years, Hizbollah has been trading Lebanese-produced heroin and cocaine for Israeli military secrets. Alfred Hackensberger reports from Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, a hub of the drugs trade
Water Policy in Israel and Palestine

There's Enough Water for Both

Water plays a key role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Joseph Croitoru reports that a German hydro-geologist now questions the firmly entrenched views of Israelis and Palestinians on water policy
The Assassins of Persia and Syria

From the 11th Century to September 11th?

Do the activities of the medieval Assassins sect and their martyrdom cult really tell us anything about the suicide attacks of current radical Islamist movements? Arian Fariborz on the practice of religious killings by the Assassins and its significance for modern radical Islamist movements
Portrait: Stef Wertheimer

The Pragmatist

Stef Wertheimer is not a Utopian, but a pragmatic man of action who believes in the positive force of working together as the basis for fostering understanding among people. He was presented with the Buber-Rosenzweig Medal for his services to peacemaking. By Igal Avidan
Gallup Poll of Muslims

What Do Muslims Think of the West?

The Washington-based Gallup Institute took on a mammoth six-year task when it opted to carry out a worldwide investigation into the Muslim mindset, and it came up with some remarkable results. Peter Philipp has been carrying out his own investigation
Blogging in the Arab World

Lessons in Democracy

Blogs serve an important function as platforms for independent reporting, especially in the authoritarian states of Northern Africa, where controversial debates are often excluded from political life. Alfred Hackensberger reports
Educational Policy in Saudi Arabia

Hell Fire in Primary School

Saudi Arabia is hoping to modernise its image with new school textbooks. The new books were published recently and made available in the internet. Joseph Croitoru has read them, and reports that they leave an ambiguous impression
Pop Diva Speaks out against Turkish Militarism

War Criticism in TV Casting Show

In the Turkish version of the 'Pop Idol' casting show, the popular singer Bülent Ersoy openly denounced the warmongering of her government. The video of Ersoy breaking this taboo on live television is now available on YouTube. Daniel Bax reports
Campaign against Genital Mutilation

A Change of Perspective In Favour of the Victims

Although the genital mutilation of women and girls is condemned as grievous bodily harm in countries all over the world, it is still practised even in countries like Germany, where an estimated 30,000 women are affected. Renate Bernhard reports on an alarming case in Hamburg
Islam and Democracy in Turkey

A Headscarf Affair, a Women's Affair?

In Turkey, the recent parliamentary vote put an end to the headscarf ban, but not to the public controversy that has severely divided and deeply polarized Turkish society since the post-1980 period. Nilüfer Göle assesses the situation