Salafists in Germany
Until now, German public perception of the Salafists placed the phenomenon firmly on foreign soil. Recent events involving followers of this radical school of Islamic thought such as the distribution of copies of the Koran in German cities and violent clashes with police have raised some concerns, but how dangerous are the Salafists in reality? Answers from Albrecht Metzger More »
First TV Debate before Presidential Elections in Egypt
A chapter of television and democracy history was written live before the eyes of millions of Egyptian TV viewers when for the first time candidates vied for the highest office of the land in a televised debate, Amr Moussa squaring off against Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. By Karim El-Gawhary More »
Anders Behring Breivik and Islamophobia in Europe
In this essay, Paul Hockenos writes that it would be a mistake to dismiss Breivik's hate-drenched tirades as the outpourings of a madman and points to the fact that Islamophobia has been a staple of political discourse in European politics and an inspiration for the extreme right since 9/11. He calls for greater vigilance on the part of intelligence and security forces and stronger resistance from democratic parties in Europe More »
Democratisation Processes in Historic Comparison
In the view of Paul Salem, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Arab nations are assuming a leading role in the promotion of democratisation. They are no longer, as has been the case in past decades, just looking on from afar More »
Interview with the Algerian Journalist Adlène Meddi
"We don't really have a choice," says Algerian journalist Adlène Meddi about the elections for a new parliament that took place on 10 May. In his eyes, the ballot is set up to feign change while maintaining the status quo. Marlyn Touma spoke with Meddi in Algier More »
The Opposition Movement in Syria
After a year of fighting, Syria is at a stalemate: the opposition is unable to topple President Assad's regime, and Assad's forces are unable to quash the resistance. In this essay, Itamar Rabinovich suggests that although the regime is certain to fail in the long run, there is more both the Syrian opposition and the West could do to break the deadlock More »
Interview with Tariq Ramadan
According to the Islamic intellectual Tariq Ramadan, the revolutions in the Arab world are either unfinished or have not yet reached their goals. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to him and asked him about the prospects for the popular uprisings and the nature of the protest movements More »
US Foreign Policy in Afghanistan and the Middle East
Barack Obama's foreign policy in Afghanistan and the Middle East has failed miserably because he does not have a real strategic vision, says Zaki Laïdi, Professor of International Relations at Institut d'études politiques de Paris More »
Interview with Egyptian presidential candidate Khaled Ali
At aged 40, Khaled Ali is the youngest candidate standing in the Egyptian presidential elections. The left wing lawyer and human rights activist enjoys widespread support among the more disadvantaged members of society. Susanne Schanda met Khaled Ali at his Cairo office More »
Interview with the Pakistani Lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar
Pakistani lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar defends victims of American drone strikes in the Waziristan region of Pakistan, not hesitating to press charges against employees of the CIA. Marcus Michaelsen spoke with him More »
