Author: Beat Stauffer

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Alaya Allani, professor of contemporary history at the Manouba University in Tunis (photo: Beat Stauffer)

Interview with Alaya Allani, an expert on Islamism

"The jihadists have no social base in Libya"

Alaya Allani, professor of contemporary history at the Monouba University in Tunis and a specialist on Islamist movements, does not expect that the IS terrorist militia will be able to establish itself in Libya over the long-term, although the jihadists have already successfully formed cells in some regions of the country. Beat Stauffer spoke to him in TunisMore

Civil war in Libya: A stateless society Interview with Andreas Dittmann: "Libyans themselves are destroying their country"Interview with Middle East expert Michael Luders: "Homs is likely to be IS's next target"
Market in Kasserine (photo: Beat Stauffer)

Jihadism in Tunisia

The invisible enemy

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb has established a base in Tunisia, from where the Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade apparently planned the attacks on the Bardo Museum. Beat Stauffer paid a visit to the province and city of Kasserine, which are viewed by many as a hub of jihadism in TunisiaMore

Radical Islamist groups in Tunisia: Tunisian-style jihadAfter the attack on the Bardo Museum: Tunisia's darkest hourInterview with Rachid Ghannouchi: "If you sow dictatorship, you harvest terrorism"Islamists target Tunisia's universities: Freedom under threat
Supporters of Nidaa Tounes during an election rally in Tunis (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Presidential election in Tunisia

The temptations of the gentle restoration

Stability and security, rather than revolutionary turbulence and Islamist experiments: the good showing by veteran politician Beji Caid Essebsi in the first round of Tunisia's recent presidential election can be read as a desire for a revival of the Bourguiba era. An analysis by Beat StaufferMore

After the first free parliamentary elections in Tunisia: New horizons or back to square one?Democratic transformation in Tunisia: The model student faces difficult tasks Parliamentary and presidential elections in Tunisia: The euphoria has evaporatedInterview with Moncef Marzouki: ''We don't have a magic wand''Tunisia's new interim government: Looking for a new beginning
Gilles Kepel (photo: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images)

Interview with the French Islam expert Gilles Kepel

Passion and suffering

For three decades now, the renowned French sociologist and political scientist Gilles Kepel has been monitoring the development of Muslim societies. He sees a close connection between the developments in the French suburbs and the events in the Arab world. Beat Stauffer spoke to him in ParisMore

France's burka ban: Excluding the wrong peopleHuman rights court upholds burka ban in France: An unfortunate rulingIslamophobia and Racism in France: Shocking IndifferenceInterview with Benjamin Stora: The history of relations between Jews and Muslims
An unemployed, illegal immigrant from Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco, 15 November 2013 (photo: DW/A. Boukhems)

Migration in Morocco

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From emigration to immigration

For decades, migration in Morocco flowed in one direction: towards Europe. Now, however, while fewer and fewer Moroccans are leaving the country, immigration is on the rise. For the first time, illegal immigrants living in the country are to be issued with residence papers. By Beat StaufferMore

Interview with the Migration Expert Rita Süssmuth: Learning to Deal with DiversityThe EU's Migration and Asylum Policy: Not in Line with European ValuesThe EU and Migration: Migration as an Opportunity, Not a Threat
Lybians demonstrating to remove al Ghaddafi-era representatives from official positions (photo: Reuters)

Justice in Libya

Lacklustre Approach to Reforms

Establishing a democratic constitutional state in Libya is proving to be a painstakingly slow process. This is partly because a reform of the legal system is long overdue, and also as a result of the vigilante justice administered by armed brigades. Beat Stauffer reportsMore

The Rule of Law and the Crimes of the Gaddafi Regime: The Victims Demand JusticeLibya's Unchecked Weapons Trade: ''Gaddafi's Gangster Mentality Lives On''Domestic Political Crisis in Libya: Stability on Trial
Anti-government protests of the 20 February movement in Rabat (photo: AP)

The Moroccan Pro-Democracy Movement

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Down, But Not Out

The Moroccan protest movement has lost much of its initial momentum. A clever strategy on the part of the palace, that has combined political concessions with repression, a lack of allies, the international economy and the fate of the uprisings in other Arab countries have all severely weakened the movement. But the Kingdom of Morocco has not seen the last of protests and uprisings. By Beat StaufferMore

The Rise of Populists in Moroccan Politics: Jokes, Clamour, Jesters and Trouble-makingThe Arab Spring in Morocco: Reform without Regime ChangeConstitutional Reform in Morocco: I Am the Reform!
Chokri Belaid (photo: AP)

After the Assassination of Chokri Belaid

Searching for the Ringleaders

The Leagues for the Protection of the Revolution are considered to be the prime suspects in the case of the assassination of the well-known Tunisian opposition politician Chokri Belaid. However, it is also possible that Salafists or networks of members of the security forces from the Ben Ali era could also be responsible for the attack. Beat Stauffer reportsMore

Tunisia in Turmoil after Chokri Belaid Killing: Between Anger and GriefTunisia after the Elections: Ennahda and the Challenges of DemocracyThe Islamist Election Victory in Tunisia: Ennahda – Asset or Threat?
An array of photographs of African refugees and migrants (photo: picture-alliance/Milestone Media)

Clandestine Migration from Tunisia

Flight of the Hopeless

In view of Tunisia's persistent economic crisis and high jobless rate, also in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution, many young Tunisians are tempted to turn their backs on their homeland and seek their fortunes in Europe. This gives greater weight to projects aimed at improving prospects for the younger generation and persuading them to abandon plans to cross the Mediterranean. By Beat StaufferMore

Illegal Migration to Sardinia: The El Dorado for Algeria's "Harragas"Hamid Skif: "The Geography of Fear": The Refrain of a Shadowy ExistenceInterview with Dita Vogel: Irregular Migration to Europe
Ripped Gaddafi poster (photo: dapd)

Interview with Ahmed Shebani

For a Secular and Democratic Libya

Ahmed Shebani, founder and chairman of the Democratic Party of Libya, explains his critical stance towards Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril and the Libyan transitional council, in conservation with Beat StaufferMore

Libyan Writers in Exile: Active in Support of the UprisingPost-conflict Reconstruction in Libya: Possibilities and Probabilities

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Machghara village in the Bekaa welcomes you with portraits of Iranian leaders and Hezbollah martyrs. For those unfamiliar with geopolitics, a quick glance at the billboards in the streets will reveal who Hezbollah′s friends are

Holidaying in Hezbolland

Since the outbreak of war in Syria, the entire Lebanese border has become a red zone: travellers from the West are advised by their governments to give it a wide berth. Yet once in the field, only the odd military checkpoint serves to remind travellers that tensions in the area remain high. In the Bekaa Valley, Hezbollah – the Party of God – holds sway. Wielding considerable political, military and social clout, this powerful Shia Islamist organisation is government, parliament and welfare state rolled into one. By Eric Lafforgue