Arab Spring
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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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The Destiny of the Syrian Refugees
''The Floodgates of Humanity Must Be Opened Immediately''
Christian Springer is a popular German author who is best known for his social and political satire. He is also the founder of the aid organization Orienthelfer (Orient helpers), which has been helping Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon since the start of the uprising against the Assad regime. Samira Sammer spoke to him about the refugees' humanitarian predicament
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Mona Eltahawy's controversial article in <i>Foreign Policy</i> magazine
An Attempt to Portray Arab Women as Victims
In the May/June special issue of the American magazine Foreign Policy, the Egyptian-American journalist Mona Eltahawy published an article claiming that the root of women's problems in the Middle East is quite simply that men hate them. Opinions on the article differ widely. Joseph Mayton asked a number of women in Tunisia and Egypt what they thought of it
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Egypt after the Election of Mohammed Mursi
The New Third Force
The revolutionaries in Egypt are strong and have achieved much over the past 18 months. They are, however, politically disorganized. In this opinion piece, Ziyad al-Alimi says that because Egyptians are looking for an alternative not only to the Mubarak regime but also to the Muslim Brotherhood, it would be best for the revolutionaries to take a third path between the two major blocs
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Uprising in Syria
Zero Hour Approaching for Syria
Zero hour may not yet have arrived for the Syrian regime, but the sense of security in Damascus is fractured and illusory, and the misguided responses of the regime are causing fear and apprehension among the people, writes Fawwaz Haddad from Damascus in his essay
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Alliance between the PKK and the Assad Regime
A Political Sect on the Wrong Track
Just as the Assad regime is foundering, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, PKK, is proving to be its loyal henchman. In this essay, Stefan Buchen writes that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan made a deal with the Syrian regime back in the days of Hafez al-Assad
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Electoral Reform in Jordan
Reading the Political Tea Leaves
The behaviour of Jordan's Royal Court in the days following the official announcement of the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Mursi in Egypt's presidential election tells an intriguing story. At first, Jordan's King Abdullah II hesitated to sign a long-sought-after election law. This was followed by approval of the law, a request for its revision and a surprise official meeting with the leader of Hamas. Daoud Kuttab explains what is going on
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The Syrian Conflict
Preparing for the Endgame
Syria's fate is being decided on the battlefield and not at the negotiating table. In some parts of the country, the post-Assad era has already begun. The Syrian opposition must now prepare itself to assume power and needs support from the international community, writes Kristin Helberg
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Hezbollah and the Uprising in Syria
Can the ''Party of God'' Weather the Arab Spring?
For many years, Hezbollah's popularity across the Arab and Muslim worlds seemed unbreakable. Long seen as the defender of those oppressed by Israel and America, its reputation has clearly taken a dent as a result of its support for President Assad in Syria. It now finds itself at odds with those across the Arab world seeking democracy and civil rights. An analysis by Paul Salem
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Syria's Ancient Treasures and Historical Sites
Under Threat from Bullets and Thieves
Syria's unique ancient treasures are another victim of the escalating conflict. With no regard for their historical significance for the country and the world, museums are being plundered, works of art sold off and ancient, Byzantine and medieval archaeological sites shelled and stripped of their treasures. Andreas Kilb reports
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Woman in Saudi Arabia
''A Golden Age for Saudi Women''
Gabriela Keseberg Dávalos recently visited Saudi Arabia on a UN fellowship. What she encountered there surprised her and completely changed her views on the lives of women in the kingdom. This is a personal account of her experiences
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Egypt's Future following the Election of Mohammed Mursi
Have No Fear, Democracy is Here!
In this essay, leading Egyptian youth activist Ziyad al-Alimi argues that millions of Egyptians only voted for Mohammed Mursi to prevent a return to the Mubarak system. He says that instead of viewing it as a setback, the election result should be seen as marking the start of a democratic breakthrough