Author: Christoph Hasselbach

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Refugee arriving in Germany grasping a crumpled picture of Angela Merkel (picture-alliance/dpa/S. Hoppe)

2015 and the Syrian influx

Five years on: how has Germany's refugee policy fared?

Five years ago, as hundreds of thousands of refugees came to Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel maintained: "We can do it." How has Germany – and those who sought asylum – managed since then? Christoph Hasselbach explainsMore

Juergen Habermas awarded Kluge Prize for Philosophy: ″Asylum is a human right″The Syrian exodus: "Stop Assad's bombs, then we'll go back"Syrian refugee Nather Henafe Alali: ″I am the misery of the 21st century″
Omid Nouripour, foreign policy spokesman for Germany's Green party (photo: Imago/Jurgen Heinrich)

Interview with Omid Nouripour on the protests in Iran

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"The Europeans lack courage"

Iran's President Rouhani has declared the violent protests in the country, which have lasted for days, to be over. Omid Nouripour, foreign policy spokesman of the German Green party, regards the USA, but also the Europeans, as being partially responsible for the current situation. Interview by Christoph HasselbachMore

Countering U.S. sanctions with INSTEX: Europe throws Iran a line European trade with Iran: "Now we're backpedalling"Maximum pressure and asymmetrical tactics: Dangerous shifts in the U.S.-Iranian stand-off
Arab youth (photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Friedrich Ebert Foundation publishes MENA youth study

The optimism of youth

A study by Germany's Friedrich Ebert Foundation shows that young people from Arabic-speaking countries have an optimistic outlook on life, but little faith in politics. Christoph Hasselbach spoke to the study's co-editor for more insightMore

Friedrich Ebert Foundation's MENA youth studyMuslim life in Germany: Integration beats segregationBook review: Fethi Benslama's book on the radicalisation of young Muslims: Islamic civilisation and its discontents
Religious scholar Michael Blume (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/Horst Galuschka)

Interview with religious scholar Michael Blume

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Turning away from Islam: Muslims beat a silent retreat

Is Germany home to a self-assured Islam and Muslims confident in their faith? It doesn't seem that way, says the religious scholar Michael Blume in interview with Christoph Hasselbach. Instead, Islam is in serious crisisMore

The secularisation of Muslims: Silent withdrawalIslam and enlightenment: Beware of the myth The Islam debate: The dual consciousness of Muslims
The most recent edition of "Charlie Hebdo" featuring a caricature of Michel Houellebecq (photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Attack on the French satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdo"

Do not be deceived!

The Paris attack will add even more heat to the debate about Islam and refugees. But, writes Christoph Hasselbach, neither freedom nor tolerance are negotiable. By the same token, there is no reason to hold all Muslims under suspicion or to doubt the model of a peaceful coexistenceMore

Arson attack on the satirical magazine ''Charlie Hebdo'': Heated debate over Sharia lawPortrait of Mohamed Sifaoui: Criticising radical IslamVerdict in "Charlie Hebdo" satirical newspaper case: When in doubt, choose freedom of speech