Muslim Brotherhood
All topics-
Qatar's foreign policy
Little emirate, big ambition
This week, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid his first state visit to Germany since being named emir of Qatar after his father's abdication in June 2013. The 34-year-old emir is one of the Middle East's most influential leaders, but his political course is controversial. By Anne Allmeling
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Outside intervention in Syria
Wanted: moderate, reliable rebels for fight against IS
The US wants to bolster the Syrian rebels in the fight against IS. But which of the groups is it supposed to support? Kristin Helberg examines three reasons why the search for suitable allies on the ground is not as straightforward as it seems
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Three years after the Arab Spring
Self-criticism and genuine dialogue required
Arab Islamists and secularists fought alongside each other in the Arab Spring revolutions. But once they had removed the hated despots from power, they became embroiled in political trench warfare and revealed an astonishing lack of democratic maturity, says renowned Moroccan analyst Ali Anouzla
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Interview with the Egyptian human rights activist Gamal Eid
A warning shot for civil society
Egyptian security forces have seized the current edition the magazine "Wasla", which is published by the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). In conversation with Abbas Al-Khashali, ANHRI Chairman Gamal Eid explains the potential political fallout of curtailing freedom of expression in Egypt
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EU election monitors in Egypt
Alienating all sides
The EU wants it both ways: it would like to retain the moral upper hand as the cradle of democracy, while at the same time maintaining good links with Egypt's new leader, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. A commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
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Presidential election in Egypt
No real choice
It is a foregone conclusion that Egypt's military ruler Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will win the first presidential election since the ousting of the Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. Nevertheless, true democracy in the land on the Nile is still a long way off, writes Loay Mudhoon
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Presidential election in Egypt
A nation marching in step
Anyone seen filming in Cairo these days should expect to be approached by an upright citizen demanding to see a permit and referring to the omnipresent threat of terrorism. On the eve of the presidential election in Egypt, fighting terrorism and not boosting the country's crippled economy seems to be right at the top of the political agenda. A commentary by Stefan Buchen in Cairo
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Presidential election in Egypt
In the heartland of the al-Sisi cult
The residents of Gamaliya in Cairo are extremely proud of their district's son, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Markus Symank visited the quarter where the former Egyptian army chief spent his formative years to get a feel for the man who is most likely to be Egypt's next head of state
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The economic power of the Egyptian army
Everything under control
While poverty and unemployment rates in Egypt are on the rise, the country's generals live comfortably and the army's businesses are booming. In fact, since the revolution, the army has managed to consolidate its economic power – with the help of foreign countries seeking to influence domestic politics in Egypt. By Markus Symank in Cairo
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Interview with Nawal El Saadawi
"They don't want any really courageous people!"
The spirited Egyptian author and feminist Nawal El Saadawi is not afraid of castigating the hypocrisy of the political system and the continued violations of women's rights in her country. Arian Fariborz spoke to her in Cairo
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More mass death sentences in Egypt
The breakdown of Egypt's legal system
Instead of demonstrating its professionalism and independence and upholding the rule of law, Egypt's judiciary is compromising itself by playing the role of an angel of vengeance, handing down merciless punishments to members of the Muslim Brotherhood in fast-track mass trials. The breakdown of the country's legal system is a disaster that will eventually cost all Egyptians dear, says Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo
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Terrorism and repression in the Arab world
On Islam, anti-terrorism and fascism
One of the reasons why there is little outcry over the repression practised by secular governments in the Arab world is that there is a lack of empathy for those who are affected by it, writes Charlotte Wiedemann