Islamism | Political Islam
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Iran in the Run-up to the Presidential Election
Electoral Poker in Tehran
The presidential poll this coming June is already shaping up as a final duel between the Islamic Republic's two longest-serving politicians – but also as a directional decision with an open outcome. Marcus Michalsen reports
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After the Bomb Attacks in Reyhanli
No Scruples in the Battle for Syria
Whoever was responsible for the double bomb attack in the Turkish border town of Reyhanli last weekend, it is part of a perfidious strategy to show the Turkish people that their nation has long been involved in the battle over Syria's future. Commentary by Jürgen Gottschlich
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Interview with the Tunisian Feminist Saloua Guiga
Two Societal Projects on Collision Course
In this interview with Martina Sabra, the chairwoman of the Coalition for Women of Tunisia (Coalition Pour les Femmes de Tunisie), Saloua Guiga, tells of the Islamists' poor understanding of democracy and the precarious situation for women in her country
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Afghanistan as the Western Troop Withdrawal Nears
The Failure of Dialogue
The end of the NATO mission in the Hindu Kush, scheduled for 2014, is fast approaching. The results to date are sobering. Mistrust and even mutual dislike between locals and representatives of the West in Afghanistan are striking and widespread. By Stefan Buchen
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Morsi's Islamist Regime
Attacks on Egypt's Opposition on the Rise
Rights groups say attacks on opposition activists and critical media in Egypt are on the rise. In parliament, the Islamist regime is quickly trying to pass legislation that will further limit citizens' freedom of speech. Matthias Sailer reports from Cairo
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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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Freedom of Speech in Egypt
Belly Dancer Exposes Islamists' Double Standards
Tweaking the Islamists' noses: In her music videos, Egyptian belly dancer Sama al-Masri pours derision on the Muslim Brotherhood. Now she may face trial for insulting Islam. Markus Symank reports from Cairo
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Iran in the Run-up to Presidential Elections
The Reformers' Swan Song
For Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a man viewed as the architect of the Islamic Republic who was the nation's most powerful figure for two decades, the outcome of presidential elections this coming June has already been decided: The reformers don't stand a chance, as Supreme Leader Khamenei will in any eventuality install his chosen candidate. By Ali Sadrzadeh
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Interview with Bakary Sambe
''In the Arab World, We Africans are Viewed as Inferior Muslims''
The French military intervention in Mali has triggered controversial reactions among Muslim intellectuals in West Africa. While there is almost universal rejection of jihadism, opinion about France's political motives is divided. Charlotte Wiedemann spoke to the Senegalese political scientist Bakary Sambe
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Civil War in Syria
A Return to Normality
Aleppo, the once hotly contested north Syrian metropolis and economic centre, is now a divided city. In the part controlled by the rebels, daily life seems to be gradually returning to normal. More and more refugees from Aleppo are returning to their city, even though economic recovery is slow. Peter Steinbach reports from Aleppo
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Muslim Art
The ''True'' Aesthetic of Islam
Does art have to be consonant with the religious dictates of Islam? In Egypt, orthodox and secular Muslims cannot agree on whether and what extent art should serve a moral purpose. By Joseph Croitoru
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Islamists Target Tunisia's Universities
Freedom under Threat
When Tunisians revolted against the Ben Ali regime in January 2011, the protesters were joined by many university lecturers and academics hoping to see an end to censorship. But this newly-won freedom for research and tuition in Tunisia again finds itself under threat today. Martina Sabra reports