Libya
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Interview with Nader Hashemi
On the Compatibility of Islam and Democracy
In this interview with Lewis Gropp, Nader Hashemi, a leading scholar on Islam and secularism, says that the two are far from being incompatible – and that the West has to accept its share of responsibility for the revival of anti-democratic forces in the Islamic world
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Islamist Groups in Libya
The Country's Jihadist Minority
The nature of Libya's post-revolution armed Islamist forces is by no means straightforward. Salafi jihadism is not an organization, but an ideological trend based on the core belief that armed tactics of all kinds are the most effective. Background information by Omar Ashour
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Lin Noueihed and Alex Warren on the Arab Spring
Post-revolution Patchwork
In their book The Battle for the Arab Spring: Revolution, Counter-Revolution and the Making of a New Era, Lin Noueihed and Alex Warren show how differently the countries affected by the uprisings of 2011 are developing. They conclude that for a number of reasons, post-Arab Spring democracies will not turn out to be similar to those in the West. Paul Hockenos read the book
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Syria, Libya and the ''Responsibility to Protect''
Don't Look Away
Because of violent conflicts in Libya and Syria, international law lawyers, experts in peace and conflict studies, and politicians are once again discussing the concept of Responsibility to Protect (R2P). The big question is what kind of military intervention or other response is appropriate at what point. By Peter Hauff
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Libya after the Parliamentary Elections
Precarious and Unstable
The first free elections to be held in Libya for over half a century took place at the weekend. Even if they were free and fair, the challenges facing the country are daunting, to say the least. According to the Libyan political scientist Mustafa el-Fituri, the failures of Libya's interim government have led to a lack of stability and growing divisions in society
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Democratisation Processes in Historic Comparison
Arab Nations Are No Longer Onlookers
In the view of Paul Salem, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Arab nations are assuming a leading role in the promotion of democratisation. They are no longer, as has been the case in past decades, just looking on from afar
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Interview with Tariq Ramadan
A Revolution in Suspense
According to the Islamic intellectual Tariq Ramadan, the revolutions in the Arab world are either unfinished or have not yet reached their goals. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to him and asked him about the prospects for the popular uprisings and the nature of the protest movements
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Bani Walid and the New Libya
A Deceptive Calm
The citizens of Bani Walid bitterly fought against the Libyan revolutionaries until the very end. Since then, calm has ruled in the provincial city and one time bastion of Gaddafi supporters. Yet, it is unclear whether the fragile peace will hold. Impressions from a city between rebellion and accommodation by Alfred Hackensberger
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One Year after the Revolt against Gaddafi
Still Firing in the Air
Life in Libya is currently determined by a confused mix of impenetrable power struggles, rebel chaos and unpaid debts of honour: Karim el-Gawhary has been in Tripoli
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The Arab Spring's Balance Sheet
The Grapes of Arab Wrath
According to Wadah Khanfar, the West has to wake up and accept the Arab people's will, recognize the scale of the historic change sweeping through the region and support genuine democracy in the Arab world. If the Arab Spring fails, the result will not be a return to pro-West dictatorships, but the triggering of a "tsunami of rage"
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The Arab Spring and Political Change
Are Arabs Capable of Democracy?
The Arab states currently undergoing democratic change will most certainly encounter setbacks. Democracy is not something that can be practiced beforehand, such as under the protective care of a monarchy. Jan Kuhlmann argues why we should give the people in the Arab world the benefit of the doubt
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Graffiti in Tunisia
A Weapon for Civil Resistance
After the revolution, Tunisia pours its troubles on its walls. Artists celebrate the people's victory through mural blows. Graffiti invades the cities' walls. Thameur Mekki reports from Tunis