Nuclear Conflict with Iran
Iran, once again, has signaled its readiness to enter negotiations on its controversial nuclear program. This time around, experts are hoping for direct talks with the United States - because little time remains. Naomi Conrad reports More »
After the Arab Revolutions
An enormous whirlwind of change has been unleashed by the upheavals in the Arab world and the long-term effects are unforeseeable. A middle course will have to be charted between the precepts of Islam and the demands of revolution. By Rainer Hermann More »
Israel after the Election
Many analysts have interpreted the outcome of Israel's elections as a rebuff for the country's right-wing politics. But, says Gideon Levy in his commentary, paradoxically, an extreme right-wing Israeli government might have been preferable to a moderate one, as it would have served as a wake-up call for the world to finally achieve peace More »
Interview with Ahmed Rashid on Mali
Pakistani writer and Taliban expert Ahmed Rashid reports on the failures of the international community in Mali and how Islamist Al-Qaida affiliates have been able to establish themselves there. He spoke to Silke Mertins More »
Jordan Has Voted
King Abdullah II emerged as ostensible winner of the parliamentary elections held in Jordan on 23 January. An absolute majority of royalist members in the next lower house of Parliament and a lack of pressure for reform from outside have given the challenged monarch a chance to catch his breath. But the discontent spreading through many parts of Jordanian society could soon cause protests to resume. By André Bank and Anna Sunik More »
The Egyptian Political Scientist Ammar Ali Hassan
Egypt is becoming increasingly polarized under the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. The newly adopted constitution represents a huge problem in this respect, says Amar Ali Hassan. But the political scientist remains optimistic and predicts that the movement will not hold on to power for long More »
Impoverishment of the Egyptian Middle Class
The middle class forms the core of the pro-democratic movement in Egypt. But the economic downturn and the country's uncertain political future are threatening its existence. Markus Symank reports from Cairo More »
Egypt Two Years after the Revolution
Egypt remains gripped in political turmoil and despite apparent efforts by President Morsi to initiate dialogue with his opponents, it appears neither he nor his rivals are able to come up with a concept to lead the nation out of its ongoing crisis. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary More »
Interview with Mohamed Morsi
"We believe in a modern state, in which the transfer of power takes place peacefully and in which democracy and freedom prevail." With these words, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi expressed the sentiment that his country does not wish to become a theocratic state. Here is the full interview of President Morsi with Markus Bickel and Rainer Hermann More »
The Pakistani Religious Cleric Tahir ul-Qadri
His call for a "million man march" in favour of reforms and against corruption has propelled cleric Tahir ul-Qadri to the status of champion of Pakistan's middle classes. Although the protest in Islamabad apparently achieved little, it casts a spotlight on the population's growing displeasure and its dwindling faith in Pakistan's mainstream political parties. By Marcus Michaelsen More »
