France
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IS terror in Europe
Crossing a psychological line
Following the devastating attacks on Paris, French terrorism experts believe that the jihadists′ awareness must have undergone a radical change to enable them to operate in Paris just as they do in Syria or Iraq. Has "Islamic State" altered its strategy? Analysis by Birgit Kaspar
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Paris terrorist attacks
A terrible case of deja-vu
Following the January attack on "Charlie Hebdo," Paris has become the target of terrorist attacks for the second time this year. The cold-bloodedness of the assailants has shocked the French. One day later, Barbara Wesel reports from the French capital with her impressions
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Arab reactions to the Paris attacks
Uneasy bedfellows in the fight against IS
Across the Arab world, there has been round condemnation of the attacks in Paris, which are generally viewed as retribution for the West′s engagement with IS in Syria. In this conflict, however, the Arab states don′t make for easy bedfellows. By Christoph Ehrhardt
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Paris: sketching solidarity
On the heels of the terror attacks in Paris, a number of artists have been taking pen in hand to express their view of the events. One frequently represented motif is the Eiffel Tower as a symbol of peace. By Sabine Oelze
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Chronicle of a war foretold
Redefining the "Syrian" conflict
The war waging in Syria, hijacked by opposing ideologies just months after it began, has had an irrevocable impact on the Syrian people. Although not much is heard of Syrians outside the refugee camps, Americans, Europeans, Russians, Turks, Iranians, and Arabs hold meeting after meeting to agree and disagree, coalesce and collide, in an attempt to halt the ″Syrian conflict″. By Hakim Khatib
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Photography in the Arab world
Casting the veil in a new light
Having spent three years in Saudi Arabia, English-born photographer Sebastian Farmborough felt he had to do something to counter the country's negative image in the West. He talks to Kate Muser about the project
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My Distant Country
Portrait of the musician Bachar Mar-Khalife
The Lebanese-French musician Bachar Mar-Khalife creates soundscapes that resonate between Orient and avant-garde. His latest album "Ya Balad" features a musical spectrum that spans the divide between ironic reggae, electronic rhythms, Arab poetry and chansonesque lullaby. Stefan Franzen met up with the multi-instrumentalist and composer
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Arabic Europe
The writers fated to "represent"
There is a common expectation that writers with non-European origins will supply a literary representation of their birth culture. But many of them find themselves adrift between two cultural entities. Is it merely a question of focusing on one at the expense of the other? Marcia Lynx Qualey met the "Arabic Europe" authors featured at this year's Shubbak Festival in London
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The Maghreb
Why does the Algerian regime fear Rachad?
In light of propaganda against the movement, media censorship, book banning and bogus Interpol arrest warrants against its founders, the regime clearly sees Rachad as a threat. But why? By Lakhdar Ghettas
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Non-fiction: ″Angst ums Abendland″ by Daniel Bax
The apocalyptics of the West
In his book "Angst ums Abendland" (Fears For the West), taz journalist Daniel Bax presents a detailed examination of why contemporary Europe should not be afraid of Muslims, but of Islamophobes. A review by Emran Feroz
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Interview with the Iranian filmmaker Ayat Najafi
"Freedom starts in the mind"
In his two documentary films, Ayat Najafi has focused on women who are fighting for change in Iran. Marian Brehmer talked to him about his projects and the difficulties faced by Iranian filmmakers
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Criticism of Islam and freedom of speech
No pluralism without pussies
Salman Rushdie has accused the U.S. writers boycotting a prize for "Charlie Hebdo" of displaying a lack of character. But the best-selling author is missing a crucial point: freedom of expression is not absolute. A commentary by Johan Schloemann