Interview with the Israeli Peace Activist Uri Avnery
Despite growing international criticism, Israel is pressing ahead with the construction of new settlements in and around Jerusalem. In this interview with Diana Hodali, peace activist Uri Avnery says that the current Israeli government does not actually want a two-state solution, regardless of what it says More »
Egypt and Its New Constitution
President Morsi has failed. The divided nation now needs real dialogue. The majority of Egyptians is against a theological state, says diplomat and political analyst Ashraf Swelam More »
''Human Rights as an Alibi'' by Bahman Nirumand
In his new book, the German-Iranian journalist Bahman Nirumand appeals to the West to adopt a new foreign policy approach. Western politics should not align itself with the principles of realpolitik, but place much more emphasis on individual values. He says this is the only way to contribute to a stabilisation of the Middle East region. By Laura Overmeyer More »
The Rise of Populists in Moroccan Politics
The election of Hamid Chabat as secretary-general of Istiqlal, Morocco's oldest political party, at the end of September has brought attention to the resurgence in populism that is becoming a distinctive feature of Moroccan politics, writes Mohamed Jalid More »
Referendum on the Constitution in Egypt
It was not only in Cairo that the majority voted against the draft constitution; in the industrial city of Mahalla El-Kubra, which used to be the stronghold of resistance to the Mubarak regime, most people voted "no". Markus Symank spoke to people in the city More »
Commentary by Daniel Barenboim
In this commentary, pianist and star conductor Daniel Barenboim writes that the fact that Palestine was recently awarded non-member observer state status by the United Nations could be the last chance to breathe life into the two-state project in the Middle East More »
The War in Syria
Whether through active or passive participation, the international community shares responsibility for the civil war taking place in Syria, writes Salam Kawakibi of the Arab Reform Initiative from Aleppo More »
Egypt's Opposition Leader Hamdeen Sabahi
In an interview with Markus Bickel, leftist opposition leader Hamdeen Sabahi criticised in unusually sharp words the referendum on a new Egyptian constitution: Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi should put a stop to the referendum, he said, because it would only do the nation harm More »
Constitutional Referendum in Egypt
Although a slim majority of votes cast in Saturday's first round support the new constitution, the Islamists have little reason to celebrate: only 18 percent of the electorate voted for the blueprint, as the Muslim Brotherhood's popularity continues on its downward trajectory. Commentary by Karim El-Gawhary More »
Turkey's New Ombudsman
The first chief ombudsman of Turkey, appointed to ensure the administration acts in line with a sense of justice based on human rights, has sparked public outcry due to his role in the conviction of the late journalist Hrant Dink. The new ombudsman also faces accusations of being too close to the government. Fatma Kayabal reports from İstanbul More »
