Arab Spring
All topics-
Destruction of Historic Sites
Syria Is Losing Its History
The civil war in Syria is not only causing human suffering, it is also endangering the nation's historic legacy. Most recently, extensive damage was inflicted on Aleppo's ancient bazaar. Björn Zimprich discusses the consequences of this destruction with Stefan Knost, who took part in historic excavations in Aleppo several years ago
-
The Egyptian President's Track Record Thus Far
Multiple Morsi
One hundred days after taking office, Egypt's new President is still a mystery. Sometimes he presents himself as a civilian president, then on other occasions as an uncompromising Islamist. Soon he will have to put his cards on the table. Markus Symank reports from Cairo
-
Civil War in Syria
Only the Europeans Can Negotiate Now
The unilateral stance of European nations against the Syrian regime has served only to further escalate the civil war. This is having a negative impact on Syria's minority groups such as the Christians, says German-Syrian legal scholar Naseef Naeem
-
Boualem Sansal on Arab-Islamic Identity
The Islamists Will Govern Undemocratically
The Arab revolutionary states are experiencing a dangerous association between Islamism and nationalism, fears Boualem Sansal, who is calling for the formation of a Mediterranean union
-
The Domiz Refugee Camp in North Iraq
The Agony of the Syrian Refugees
Syrian refugees are flocking in ever-greater numbers to the neighbouring countries, fleeing from the violence at home. In the Domiz refugee camp in northern Iraqi, 700 new people arrive every day. But the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and the Kurdish autonomy government are unable to provide for them. A report by Jan Kuhlmann
-
The Media and ''The Innocence of Muslims''
Against the Islamisation of Muslims
Reports by Western media on the violent protests in the Muslim world against the film "The Innocence of Muslims" have delivered a one-sided and over-simplified picture of the Muslims and the complex reality in which they live. By Hoda Salah
-
Protests in the Palestinian Territories
A Belated Arab Spring for Palestine?
Demonstrations by thousands of Palestinians against rising food and fuel prices have alarmed the rulers in Ramallah: the government of Salam Fayyad is coming under increasing pressure as people demand explanations for the country's ongoing economic plight. Is Palestine on the brink of an upheaval like the Arab Spring that swept through other countries in the region? By Fabian Schmidmeier
-
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
-
Profile of the Egyptian Writer Salwa Bakr
The Voice of the Marginalized
Salwa Bakr is an unassuming literary star. Not a natural self-promoter, the Egyptian writer is nevertheless one of her nation's best known authors at international level. She has written 18 books, many of which have gained international recognition and been translated into nine languages. By Claudia Mende
-
Protests in Jordan
A Small Kingdom with Big Problems
While the eyes of the world are fixed on the escalating violence in Syria, across the border in Jordan, the country's ongoing economic problems threaten to trigger a full-blown political crisis. Dissatisfaction among the population is growing, and criticism of the king is getting louder. Nader Alsarras reports
-
Interview with Pınar Selek
''The Old Mindset Is Still in Place in Turkey''
Turkish sociologist and human rights activist Pınar Selek discusses her role in the democracy movement, ongoing legal proceedings against her, and the shortcomings of Turkey's political system. An interview by Ceyda Nurtsch
-
Christians in Lebanon
Caught between the Frontlines
The Pope visited Lebanon at a precarious time. The destabilisation of Syria may have given Christians more room to manoeuvre, but they are also being dragged into the conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Mona Naggar reports from Beirut