Politics

The nuclear reactor Shazand in Iran (photo: markazinews) Nuclear Conflict with Iran

Time Is Running Out

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 »


Supporters of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wait for the results of the legislative elections in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 (photo: Oded Balilty/AP/dapd) Israel after the Election

Caught in the Honey Trap

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 »


A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Amman January 23, 2013 (photo: Reuters/Muhammad Hammad) Jordan Has Voted

King Abdullah Can Catch His Breath

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 »


Ammar Ali Hassan (photo: Martina Sabra) The Egyptian Political Scientist Ammar Ali Hassan

''The Constitution Is a Catastrophe''

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 »


Mass protests against Morsi's government in Cairo (photo: dapd) Egypt Two Years after the Revolution

No Agenda, No Goal

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 »


Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi (photo: Reuters) Interview with Mohamed Morsi

''We Don't Want a Theocratic State''

"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 »


Tahir ul-Qadri (photo: AFP) The Pakistani Religious Cleric Tahir ul-Qadri

Manic Street Preacher

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 »