Maghreb
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Interview with Andreas Dittmann
"Libyans themselves are destroying their country"
Three years after the overthrow of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Libya is at risk of becoming a failed state. The country is threatened by both militias and groups of jihadis made up of disaffected young Libyans with a radical agenda. Kersten Knipp spoke to Professor Andreas Dittmann about the current conflict
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Journalists in Libya
Caught in the crossfire
As their country slides into a fully fledged civil war, an increasing number of Libyans are seeking shelter abroad. Among them are many journalists who are perceived as being representatives of opposing political forces and are increasingly coming under fire. By Valerie Stocker in Tunis
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Islam and violence
Conservative Muslims refute the violence of IS
Does Islamic theology have the argumentative resources to counter the claim that violence perpetrated in the name of Islam is covered by verses from the Koran? Yes, says the Islam expert Katajun Amirpur, pointing to an open letter from Muslim scholars
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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 Stauffer
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Album review: "The Gnawa Berber" by Simo Lagnawi
A wholehearted expression of devotion
The Moroccan musician Simo Lagnawi was raised in the Gnawa tradition and is an award-winning ambassador for Gnawa music. Never afraid to blend non-traditional elements into his work, he always remains true to his musical heritage. Richard Marcus was highly impressed by his latest album, "The Gnawa Berber"
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Interview with Egyptian philosopher Hassan Hanafi
From Velvet Spring to military despotism
Renowned Egyptian philosopher Hassan Hanafi believes it is too early to declare the Arab Spring revolutions a failure. In an interview with Moncef Slimi, he explains why fundamental religious reforms are now necessary in the Arab world
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After the first free parliamentary elections in Tunisia
New horizons or back to square one?
Does the election victory of Nidaa Tounes mean a return to old mechanisms, cronyism and entrenched power structures? Or will the political alliance of convenience succeed in setting a new course for Tunisia's future, fostering socially acceptable compromises and swiftly tackling urgently required economic reforms? By Isabel Schäfer
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Democratic transformation in Tunisia
The model student faces difficult tasks
Tunisia is the only one of the Arab Spring nations that is on the road to democracy. Almost four years after the first protests, which began in the south, this North African country has become a beacon of light for the whole Arab world. But in spite of its successes to date, Tunisia still faces some huge challenges. By Ilyas Saliba
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Interview with the Tunisian documentary filmmaker Sami Tlili
"We've reached a crossroads"
In conversation with Martina Sabra, the Tunisian literary scholar and documentary filmmaker Sami Tlili talks about the political future of the North African country following the recent parliamentary elections, and the democratic prospects three years after the "Jasmine Revolution"
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Parliamentary and presidential elections in Tunisia
The euphoria has evaporated
In the run-up to parliamentary elections on 26 October, more than five million Tunisians registered to vote, considerably more than in 2011. Nevertheless, observers expected voter turnout to be low. Many Tunisians are frustrated by the fact that their situation has hardly improved in the three years since the overthrow of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. By Sarah Mersch in Tunis
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Interview with Tunisian human rights activist Bochra Belhadj Hamida
"Demonised, insulted and threatened"
Bochra Belhadj Hamida is a lawyer and one of the most prominent human and women's rights activists in Tunisia. She is now running for parliament for Nidaa Tounes, a new party that brings together a range of political viewpoints. She discussed the current situation in Tunisia in an interview with Martina Sabra
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The fight against IS
No alternative to civil and human rights in the Arab world
In the battle against Islamic State, the religious leaders of Islam have failed; the onus is now on secular forces to fight the jihadi terrorists. To this end, the West must support the beleaguered rebels and civil society's campaign for civil and human rights in the Arab world. A commentary by Markus Bickel