Yemen
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Federalism and state-building in Yemen
Between transition and stagnation
With the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference and the decision to introduce a federal system, Yemen would appear to be moving forward in its transition process, paving the way for a new constitution and democratic elections. However, things in the country are not as rosy as they might seem at first glance. By Marie-Christine Heinze
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Interview with Benjamin Stora
The history of relations between Jews and Muslims
The French-language book "Histoires des relations entre juifs et musulmans, des origines à nos jours" (The history of relations between Jews and Muslims, from their origins to the present day) is encyclopaedic in both its scope and length. Some 120 top specialists worked under the direction of Abdelwahab Meddeb and Benjamin Stora to rebuild more than 13 centuries of coexistence between Jews and Muslims. Nathalie Galesne spoke to Benjamin Stora about the book
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Al-Qaeda's New Strategy
Turning away from the Distant Enemy
In contrast to their earlier tactics, militant jihadists are increasingly turning away from attacking the West to concentrate on more local and regional targets. Albrecht Metzger reports on the current change of strategy in the activities of Al-Qaeda and its allies
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Open Letter to Europe
"Tunisia Needs Help!"
In an open letter to José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, the well-known Tunisian journalist Soufiane Chourabi appeals to the EU to put pressure on Tunisia’s government because it tolerates the attacks by fundamentalist Islamic groups on Tunisians’ personal freedoms
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Commentary by Daoud Kuttab
An Arab "Third Way"
Throughout the post-colonial period, Arab countries have consistently failed to produce an efficient – let alone democratic – system of government. Now, after a half-century of competition between military or royal dictatorships and militant Islamist regimes, many Arabs are again seeking a "third way"
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Essay by Nawaf Obaid
The Collapsing Arab State
The Arab Spring has toppled some regimes, though not others. But, more important, everywhere in the Arab world – and beyond – it has called into question the viability of the nation-state. An essay by Nawaf Obaid
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Non-violent, Anti-terror Campaign in Yemen
Working for Peace and Tolerance
Yemen's National Dialogue began recently. It seeks to come up with a new constitution and to prepare for elections in the crisis-rocked country. However, it is not just the politicians who are trying to foster dialogue and bring peace to the country, young Yemenis are too. By Bassam Ghabar
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Yemen and the Arab Spring
Revolution on Hold
While political turbulence continues unabated in Tunisia and Egypt – the two countries where the Arab Spring started – and a bloody civil war still rages unchecked in Syria, the transition in Yemen seems to have ground to a complete halt. By Nader Alsarras
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Book Review: Volker Perthes on the Arab Spring
The Rebellion of the Young
Volker Perthes is director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. In his new book, Der Aufstand (The Uprising), he looks at the Arab uprisings and considers what they could mean for German and European policy and for the Middle East as a whole. Claudia Mende read the book for Qantara.de
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Ravid Kahalani's Yemen Blues
''Your Language Is My Language''
Ravid Kahalani is Israeli, but his family originally hails from Yemen. He and his group, Yemen Blues, explore the richness of Jewish and Arab-Muslim music, transcending national, ethnic and religious boundaries in the process. Lewis Gropp reports
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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