Arab Spring
All topics-
Turkey's Syria Policy
Ankara's Achilles' Heel
The Syrian conflict is exposing the limitations of aspiring regional power Turkey, as the West repeatedly urges leaders in Ankara to exercise military restraint. Turkish public opinion is also putting the brakes on a possible intervention in neighbouring Syria. By Thomas Seibert
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The Impact of Crowd Dynamics on the Arab Spring
Like Dark Clouds Gathering before a Storm
In this essay, Sami Mahroum takes a closer look at the genesis, dynamics and impact of crowds in particular in the Arab world, where crowds – both spontaneous and those born through social media – have been shaping political processes since before the Arab Spring
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Egypt and Its New Constitution
A National Unity Government for Egypt!
President Morsi has failed. The divided nation now needs real dialogue. The majority of Egyptians is against a theological state, says diplomat and political analyst Ashraf Swelam
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The Rise of Populists in Moroccan Politics
Jokes, Clamour, Jesters and Trouble-making
The election of Hamid Chabat as secretary-general of Istiqlal, Morocco's oldest political party, at the end of September has brought attention to the resurgence in populism that is becoming a distinctive feature of Moroccan politics, writes Mohamed Jalid
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Business Innovation in Lebanon
The Other Spring
Fifteen years of civil war. Another twenty-two years of bombs, Israeli aggression and domestic discord. Now the conflict in Syria threatens to ignite the neighbouring country's flames once again. Yet more and more young Lebanese are fighting for their country – in the business arena
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Clandestine Migration from Tunisia
Flight of the Hopeless
In view of Tunisia's persistent economic crisis and high jobless rate, also in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution, many young Tunisians are tempted to turn their backs on their homeland and seek their fortunes in Europe. This gives greater weight to projects aimed at improving prospects for the younger generation and persuading them to abandon plans to cross the Mediterranean. By Beat Stauffer
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Egypt's Opposition Leader Hamdeen Sabahi
''The Spirit of the Revolution Will Be Trampled Underfoot''
In an interview with Markus Bickel, leftist opposition leader Hamdeen Sabahi criticised in unusually sharp words the referendum on a new Egyptian constitution: Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi should put a stop to the referendum, he said, because it would only do the nation harm
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Constitutional Referendum in Egypt
The Islamists' Pyrrhic Victory
Although a slim majority of votes cast in Saturday's first round support the new constitution, the Islamists have little reason to celebrate: only 18 percent of the electorate voted for the blueprint, as the Muslim Brotherhood's popularity continues on its downward trajectory. Commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
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The Writer Alaa al-Aswani
A Desperate Citizen of Egypt
"We will topple Mursi, just as we toppled Mubarak": A few years ago Alaa al-Aswani wrote what is arguably the most successful novel ever to be written in Arabic, now he is fighting for democracy in his homeland. By Tim Neshitov
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Egypt – a Nation Divided
Trapped between the Religious and Secular Fronts
While Egypt's elites see themselves in a culture struggle between a liberal and a more strongly Islamic direction, the poor are growing increasingly disappointed in a revolution that has brought them no improvements whatsoever to date. Claudia Mende reports from Cairo
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Mass Protests against Morsi
Egypt's Democratic Dictator?
While most Egyptians may support Morsi's aims, a dramatic expansion of presidential power in order to attain them was, for many, a step too far. Morsi's decrees have undoubtedly polarized Egyptian politics further, says Omar Ashour
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Egypt Expert Björn Bentlage
''The Draft Constitution Is a Success''
Angry demonstrators are protesting Egypt's draft constitution. But scholar Björn Bentlage thinks the constitution is in fact democratic, and criticizes the opposition for failing to bring more specific concerns. Interview by Kersten Knipp