Arab Spring
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After the Assassination of Chokri Belaid
Searching for the Ringleaders
The Leagues for the Protection of the Revolution are considered to be the prime suspects in the case of the assassination of the well-known Tunisian opposition politician Chokri Belaid. However, it is also possible that Salafists or networks of members of the security forces from the Ben Ali era could also be responsible for the attack. Beat Stauffer reports
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Tunisia in Turmoil after Chokri Belaid Killing
Between Anger and Grief
Tunisians are in shock, following the assassination of opposition politician, Chokri Belaid. Thousands of people took to the streets to call for the government to step down. Sarah Mersch reports
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After the Arab Revolutions
Islamic Modernity
An enormous whirlwind of change has been unleashed by the upheavals in the Arab world and the long-term effects are unforeseeable. A middle course will have to be charted between the precepts of Islam and the demands of revolution. By Rainer Hermann
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Turkish Businesswomen
Female Power for Turkey's Economy
Turkey's largest companies are increasingly assigning women to key positions and corporate boards. Of the top executives in these companies, 26 percent are women - well above the EU average. Ayhan Simsek and Selcuk Oktay report
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The Uprising of Women in the Arab World
Fighting Patriarchal Tyranny
The group "The uprising of women in the Arab world" is taking a courageous stand for gender equality. However, the activists face significant resistance: from old ways of thinking, patriarchal chauvinism – and even from Facebook. Laura Overmeyer reports
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Jordan Has Voted
King Abdullah Can Catch His Breath
King Abdullah II emerged as ostensible winner of the parliamentary elections held in Jordan on 23 January. An absolute majority of royalist members in the next lower house of Parliament and a lack of pressure for reform from outside have given the challenged monarch a chance to catch his breath. But the discontent spreading through many parts of Jordanian society could soon cause protests to resume. By André Bank and Anna Sunik
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44th Cairo Book Fair
A Breath of Fresh Air for Publishers
Last year, the Cairo Book Fair was thrown into the shadows by the revolutionary events in Egypt, but this year the public is once more showing interest. As Asira El Ahl found out, the young generation is especially keen on the kinds of books which meet their interests
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Interview with Father Paolo Dall'Oglio on Syria
Hoping for a Victory without Revenge
Paolo Dall'Oglio has lived in Syria for over 30 years. Founder of the Deir Mar Musa monastic community north of Damascus, he has always been committed to interreligious dialogue with the Muslim world. Last June, he was banished by the regime. Father Paolo Dall'Oglio talks to Antonella Vicini
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The Egyptian Political Scientist Ammar Ali Hassan
''The Constitution Is a Catastrophe''
Egypt is becoming increasingly polarized under the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. The newly adopted constitution represents a huge problem in this respect, says Amar Ali Hassan. But the political scientist remains optimistic and predicts that the movement will not hold on to power for long
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Impoverishment of the Egyptian Middle Class
A Frustrated People
The middle class forms the core of the pro-democratic movement in Egypt. But the economic downturn and the country's uncertain political future are threatening its existence. Markus Symank reports from Cairo
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Egypt Two Years after the Revolution
No Agenda, No Goal
Egypt remains gripped in political turmoil and despite apparent efforts by President Morsi to initiate dialogue with his opponents, it appears neither he nor his rivals are able to come up with a concept to lead the nation out of its ongoing crisis. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
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Interview with Mohamed Morsi
''We Don't Want a Theocratic State''
"We believe in a modern state, in which the transfer of power takes place peacefully and in which democracy and freedom prevail." With these words, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi expressed the sentiment that his country does not wish to become a theocratic state. Here is the full interview of President Morsi with Markus Bickel and Rainer Hermann