Author: Silke Mertins

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Turkish F16 fighter planes (photo: imago/Xinhua)

No-fly Zone for Syria

Last Chance to End the Misery

The imposition of a no-fly zone in 1991 against the regime of Saddam Hussein worked wonders for Iraqi Kurdistan. Twenty years later, a no-fly zone in Libya led to resolution of the conflict there. Why shouldn't it also be tried in northern Syria? A commentary by Silke MertinsMore

European Policy on Syria: The Time for Caution is PastIran's Role in the Syrian Civil War: Masters and ServantsEssay by the Syrian Writer Fawwaz Haddad: Children of a Divided Nation
Seyed Hossein Mousavian (photo: Reuters)

Interview with Hossein Mousavian

''Iran Will Not Negotiate under Threat''

Seyed Hossein Mousavian, spokesman for the former nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani and once the Iranian ambassador to Germany, sees a realistic chance for a resolution of the nuclear crisis despite the escalation of the conflict. Direct talks with the USA are both possible and necessary, says the former diplomat. An interview by Silke MertinsMore

Nuclear Conflict with Iran: Time Is Running OutIran's Nuclear Programme: Tehran's Visions versus Nuclear RealitiesDavid Grossman on a Possible Israeli Strike against Iran: On Silence
Pakistani writer and Taliban expert Ahmed Rashid (photo: AP)

Interview with Ahmed Rashid on Mali

''Worse than Afghanistan''

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 MertinsMore

Musicians in Mali: Fighting back against CensorshipAnsar Dine's religious leader Chérif Ousmane Haidara: ''This is not Sharia, but banditry''Photo Essay: Conflic in Northern Mali