Jihadism | Jihadists
All topics-
Strategies against Islamic State
The case against an alliance with Assad
While it is certainly laudable when political leaders base foreign policy choices on ethical considerations, writes Syria expert Heiko Wimmen, the question remains whether such principled positions will hold up if the current approach of limited airstrikes fails to yield results
-
France after the attack on "Charlie Hebdo"
Much more is at stake than press freedom
After the murderous attack on "Charlie Hebdo", will the French succeed in joining hands with the country's Muslim minority to confront the Islamist movement at home, or will Muslims once again be made the scapegoat. By Birgit Kaspar
-
Reactions to the "Charlie Hebdo" attack in the Arab world
"Radicals killed radicals"
In the wake of the horrific attack on the staff of "Charlie Hebdo" in Paris on 7 January, Islamic associations and imams across Europe have condemned the killings. So too have politicians and religious dignitaries across the Islamic world. But, says Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo, for some people in the Arab world, things are not quite so black-and-white
-
Attack on the French satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdo"
Do not be deceived!
The Paris attack will add even more heat to the debate about Islam and refugees. But, writes Christoph Hasselbach, neither freedom nor tolerance are negotiable. By the same token, there is no reason to hold all Muslims under suspicion or to doubt the model of a peaceful coexistence
-
Abderrahmane Sissako's film "Timbuktu"
In the beginning there was violence
Abderrahmane Sissako's film "Timbuktu" portrays the nightmarish horror of Islamist rampages and at the same time invokes gentleness as a source of resistance. The compelling story is captured in masterful imagery by the cameraman Sofiane El Fani. By Hans-Jörg Rother
-
The Middle East in 2014
New regional power games
The rise of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has dramatically altered the regional order. While Iran and Turkey are becoming key political players in the crisis-torn area, the West continues to lose influence. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
-
The kidnapping of the "Douma 4"
The Salafist and the human rights activist
A year ago, four Syrian human rights activists were taken from a suburb of Damascus. Among them was the well-known lawyer Razan Zaitouneh. The kidnapping illustrates the fatal turn the Syrian revolution has taken, partly due to the West's inaction, writes Kristin Helberg
-
Global strategies for combating Islamic State
The intellectual battle against IS
The global financial crisis taught the world how profoundly interdependent our economies have become. In today's crisis of extremism, we must recognise that we are just as interdependent for our security, as is clear in the current struggle to defeat IS (also known as ISIS), writes Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
-
Interview with Andreas Dittmann
"Libyans themselves are destroying their country"
Three years after the overthrow of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Libya is at risk of becoming a failed state. The country is threatened by both militias and groups of jihadis made up of disaffected young Libyans with a radical agenda. Kersten Knipp spoke to Professor Andreas Dittmann about the current conflict
-
Journalists in Libya
Caught in the crossfire
As their country slides into a fully fledged civil war, an increasing number of Libyans are seeking shelter abroad. Among them are many journalists who are perceived as being representatives of opposing political forces and are increasingly coming under fire. By Valerie Stocker in Tunis
-
Islam and violence
Conservative Muslims refute the violence of IS
Does Islamic theology have the argumentative resources to counter the claim that violence perpetrated in the name of Islam is covered by verses from the Koran? Yes, says the Islam expert Katajun Amirpur, pointing to an open letter from Muslim scholars
-
Strategies for combating IS
Plea for a wide-angled view of the Arab world
In spite of all the hysteria surrounding IS, the terrorist militia is just one symptom of a changing region where repressive despots and militant Islamists are rising up once again and goading each other on. An essay by Karim El-Gawhary