New Egyptian Constitution
Democracy Hangs by a Thread
Guido Steinberg on German Islamist Terrorism
Trend towards "Individual Jihad"
Debate on European Islam
A Mined Terrain
Interview with Yasmine Hamdan
"I Am a Nomad"

New Egyptian Constitution

Democracy Hangs by a Thread

The new draft constitution sets down the timetable for democratic transition on paper, but the police and military are standing guard at the station and controlling the points, writes Karim El-Gawhary in his commentaryRead more

Egypt's Political Outlook: In Need of a Culture of CompromiseThe Egyptian Political Scientist Ammar Ali Hassan: ''The Constitution Is a Catastrophe''Egypt Expert Björn Bentlage: ''The Draft Constitution Is a Success''

Guido Steinberg on German Islamist Terrorism

Trend towards "Individual Jihad"

Guido Steinberg is Germany's foremost specialist on Islamist terrorism in Europe. In this interview with Paul Hockenos, he talks about the specifics of German Islamist terrorism and al-Qaeda's change of strategyRead more

The Close and the Distant Enemy: Islamic Terrorist NetworksSalafists in Germany: Heavy on Populism, Light on Strategic ThinkingSalafists in Germany: Heading for ''Urban Terrorism''?

Debate on European Islam

A Mined Terrain

The concept of European Islam has proved to be a constant source of controversy. For some it embodies the deliverance of Islam from everything that is perceived as backward looking and pre-modern. Others fear that a European Islam is a watered-down religion, a kind of government-controlled "state Islam", prepared to fully accommodate to the wishes of the authorities. By Claudia MendeRead more

European Islam: Too Diverse to DomesticateHamid Dabashi on European culture and European Muslims: "Islam Is an Abstraction"Interview with Tariq Ramadan: ''We Are Europeans''

Interview with Yasmine Hamdan

"I Am a Nomad"

Yasmine Hamdan is a rising star on the alternative electro-pop scene in Lebanon. In her solo debut album "Ya Nass", she has given classical Arabic music a modern twist. An interview by Juliane MetzkerRead more

Dossier: Arabic Music Eka3: New Arab Music: Creating A Niche Music Scene in Beirut: Nostalgic about the War

Politics

Clashes between the radical Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia and units of Libya's army in Benghazi (photo: Reuters)

Two Years after the Overthrow of the Gaddafi Regime

Are We Facing a Second Somalia?

The Libyan writer and political analyst Mustafa el-Fituri describes here the most important challenges that Libya must now overcome on its way to democracyMore

Libya: Militias Take Aim at Tripoli ProtestersLibya: A Sanctuary for Radicals and Militants"Gaddafi's Harem": A Monstrous Nexus of Power, Sexuality and Violence
The committee designated to revise the constitution that was put into effect by Mohammed Morsi (photo: picture alliance/landov)

New Egyptian Constitution

Democracy Hangs by a Thread

The new draft constitution sets down the timetable for democratic transition on paper, but the police and military are standing guard at the station and controlling the points, writes Karim El-Gawhary in his commentaryMore

Egypt's Political Outlook: In Need of a Culture of CompromiseThe Egyptian Political Scientist Ammar Ali Hassan: ''The Constitution Is a Catastrophe''Egypt Expert Björn Bentlage: ''The Draft Constitution Is a Success''
Abu Ibraheem in a video message threatening to kill people who allegedly denigrate prophet Muhammed (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Guido Steinberg on German Islamist Terrorism

Trend towards "Individual Jihad"

Guido Steinberg is Germany's foremost specialist on Islamist terrorism in Europe. In this interview with Paul Hockenos, he talks about the specifics of German Islamist terrorism and al-Qaeda's change of strategyMore

The Close and the Distant Enemy: Islamic Terrorist NetworksSalafists in Germany: Heavy on Populism, Light on Strategic ThinkingSalafists in Germany: Heading for ''Urban Terrorism''?
Egypt's constituent assembly approves the country's new constitution (photo: dpa/picture-alliance)

Egypt's Political Outlook

In Need of a Culture of Compromise

The biggest challenge facing Egypt in its attempts to build a new future is the fact that it does not have a political culture of compromise, writes Ronald MeinardusMore

Egypt: The Success of Democracy is Not a Question of EducationEgypt in Turmoil: Derailing DemocracyThe Arab Spring and Political Change: Are Arabs Capable of Democracy?
more Politics »

Society

Prof. Klaus J. Bade (photo: private copyright)

Dual Nationality in Germany

Double Standards in the Citizenship Debate

If a Turk receives and keeps German citizenship in addition to his own Turkish nationality, then he suffers an identity crisis. If a German were to additionally obtain Turkish citizenship however, this would be no problem at all. A commentary by Prof. Klaus J. BadeMore

Dual Citizenship in Germany: Why the Obligation to Choose is Damaging IntegrationGermany's Disputed Dual Citizenship Law: ''Everyone Must Be Able to Participate''Interview with Doug Saunders: ''Muslim Infiltration Is a Myth''
Rita Süssmuth (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Interview with the Migration Expert Rita Süssmuth

Learning to Deal with Diversity

If Europe's immigration policy is not changed in the coming years, the continent's population will start to shrink dramatically in 2025. Annika Zeitler spoke to the German migration expert and former President of the Bundestag, Rita SüssmuthMore

The Lampedusa Tragedy: EU Refugee Policy Is Morally BankruptThe EU's Migration and Asylum Policy: Not in Line with European ValuesDossier: Policy on Refugees and Migration
Muslim men praying in Berlin's Sehitlik Mosque (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Debate on European Islam

A Mined Terrain

The concept of European Islam has proved to be a constant source of controversy. For some it embodies the deliverance of Islam from everything that is perceived as backward looking and pre-modern. Others fear that a European Islam is a watered-down religion, a kind of government-controlled "state Islam", prepared to fully accommodate to the wishes of the authorities. By Claudia MendeMore

European Islam: Too Diverse to DomesticateHamid Dabashi on European culture and European Muslims: "Islam Is an Abstraction"Interview with Tariq Ramadan: ''We Are Europeans''
more Society »

Culture

Caroline Link's Film "Exit Marrakech"

Understanding the Cultural "Other"

With her exquisite and sensitive film "Exit Marrakech", Caroline Link demonstrates genuine openness towards Morocco – the beauty of its landscape, the social diversity, and the country's cultural wealth, as well as for its social extremes and contradictions. A review by Christoph LeistenMore

Moroccan Cinema: The Difficulty with TaboosNabil Ayouch's Film ''God's Horses'': Ostracised and ForgottenWilliam S. Borroughs' "Naked Lunch": American Literature from Morocco
Yasmine Hamdan (photo: Nadim Asfar)

Interview with Yasmine Hamdan

"I Am a Nomad"

Yasmine Hamdan is a rising star on the alternative electro-pop scene in Lebanon. In her solo debut album "Ya Nass", she has given classical Arabic music a modern twist. An interview by Juliane MetzkerMore

Dossier: Arabic Music Eka3: New Arab Music: Creating A Niche Music Scene in Beirut: Nostalgic about the War
Raid Yosif (photo: private copyright)

Iraqi Pop Music

Raid Yousif – A Superstar in Limbo

After fleeing his native Iraq and settling in Germany, Raid Yousif is devoting himself to developing his music career. Despite setbacks, he's intent on breaking new ground. Eike Rüdebusch reportsMore

Supposed Fatwa against Iranian Rapper Shahin Najafi: ''We Will Continue with Our Work''Persecuted Emos in Iraq: No Place for EmotionsThe German Iraqi Writer Abbas Khider: Writing More Beautifully than God
more Culture »