Yemen has recently become a haven for al-Qaeda. Yet a few years ago the organisation had seemingly petered out, the leaders of the old guard either in prison or dead. Albrecht Metzger has background details
Al-Qaeda in Yemen
Yemen has recently become a haven for al-Qaeda. Yet a few years ago the organisation had seemingly petered out, the leaders of the old guard either in prison or dead. Albrecht Metzger has background details
Yemen has recently become a haven for al-Qaeda. Yet a few years ago the organisation had seemingly petered out, the leaders of the old guard either in prison or dead. Albrecht Metzger has background details
The Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood is the largest political opposition organization in many Arab states, particularly Egypt. Now splits within the world's oldest and largest Islamic political group indicate that it is at a decisive crossroads. By James M. Dorsey
The Muslim Brotherhood is the largest political opposition organization in many Arab states, particularly Egypt. Now splits within the world's oldest and largest Islamic political group indicate that it is at a decisive crossroads. By James M. Dorsey
Interview with the Algerian Novelist Boualem Sansal
In 1945, following the Second World War, many prominent Nazis sought refuge in Arab countries. The Algerian writer Boualem Sansal has addressed this chapter of history in his latest novel. Martina Sabra met him in Frankfurt, Germany
In 1945, following the Second World War, many prominent Nazis sought refuge in Arab countries. The Algerian writer Boualem Sansal has addressed this chapter of history in his latest novel. Martina Sabra met him in Frankfurt, Germany
"The Siege of Mecca" by Yaroslav Trofimov
In his study, Yaroslav Trofimov tries to re-evaluate an event which is seen as central in the development of militant Islamism: the attack carried out by a group of Saudi extremists in November 1979 on the Qaaba in Mecca. Joseph Croitoru has read the book
In his study, Yaroslav Trofimov tries to re-evaluate an event which is seen as central in the development of militant Islamism: the attack carried out by a group of Saudi extremists in November 1979 on the Qaaba in Mecca. Joseph Croitoru has read the book
Essay: Sadiq Al-Azm
The Syrian intellectual Sadiq al-Azm proposed Self-Criticism after the Defeat to the Arabs in 1968, and in the following year a Critique of Religious Thought. He sees a third way for the Muslim faith between radicalism and state Islam
The Syrian intellectual Sadiq al-Azm proposed Self-Criticism after the Defeat to the Arabs in 1968, and in the following year a Critique of Religious Thought. He sees a third way for the Muslim faith between radicalism and state Islam
Steve Coll's "The Bin Ladens"
In his detailed and precise study of the Bin Laden family Steve Coll describes the development from being a poor clan living in the coastal Hadhramaut region of Yemen to becoming one of the most powerful and prosperous families in Saudi Arabia. Sebastian Sons has been reading the book
In his detailed and precise study of the Bin Laden family Steve Coll describes the development from being a poor clan living in the coastal Hadhramaut region of Yemen to becoming one of the most powerful and prosperous families in Saudi Arabia. Sebastian Sons has been reading the book
Perspectives of Radical Islam
Abdelwahab Meddeb is one of the leading intellectuals proposing a progressive interpretation of Islam. His book The Malady of Islam caused heated debates in the Muslim world. In this text, he calls for a revision of Koranic statements based on a historical reading of the text
Abdelwahab Meddeb is one of the leading intellectuals proposing a progressive interpretation of Islam. His book The Malady of Islam caused heated debates in the Muslim world. In this text, he calls for a revision of Koranic statements based on a historical reading of the text
Perspectives on Radical Islamism
The political scientist Volker Perthes is the director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin and has published numerous studies on the Near and Middle East. He sees five key ways for Europe to take constructive action in the Muslim world
The political scientist Volker Perthes is the director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin and has published numerous studies on the Near and Middle East. He sees five key ways for Europe to take constructive action in the Muslim world
Perspectives on Radical Islamism
Islamists take political action in a wide variety of different contexts. Political scientist Amr Hamzawy, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, offers a nuanced view of these movements
Islamists take political action in a wide variety of different contexts. Political scientist Amr Hamzawy, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, offers a nuanced view of these movements
Olivier Roy: "The Politics of Chaos"
Olivier Roy, Islamism expert and renowned authority on the Islamic world wants his new book, "The Politics of Chaos in the Middle East", to refute the idea of a "geostrategy of Islam" – and along with it the theory of the clash of civilisations. A review by Loay Mudhoon
Olivier Roy, Islamism expert and renowned authority on the Islamic world wants his new book, "The Politics of Chaos in the Middle East", to refute the idea of a "geostrategy of Islam" – and along with it the theory of the clash of civilisations. A review by Loay Mudhoon
Interview with Tayyib Tizini
Tayyib Tizini, Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Damascus, holds the view that the current strength of radical Islamist movements in the Arab world is the product of a lack of freedom. Tayyib Tizini spoke to Afra Mohamed in Damascus
Tayyib Tizini, Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Damascus, holds the view that the current strength of radical Islamist movements in the Arab world is the product of a lack of freedom. Tayyib Tizini spoke to Afra Mohamed in Damascus
Interview with Olivier Roy
Olivier Roy is one of the most renowned experts on political Islam. In this interview with Michael Hesse, he talks about religious fundamentalism, Islam in Europe, and explains why the Muslim middle classes in the West ought to be recognized as a western faith community, not as an alien culture
Olivier Roy is one of the most renowned experts on political Islam. In this interview with Michael Hesse, he talks about religious fundamentalism, Islam in Europe, and explains why the Muslim middle classes in the West ought to be recognized as a western faith community, not as an alien culture
The Islamism Debate
Political discourse without Islamist groups would be unthinkable in many Islamic-dominated countries. But what is Islamism actually? Is it more than a fanaticism of losers? And how should the West deal with the "moderate Islamists"? Answers from Sonja Zekri
Political discourse without Islamist groups would be unthinkable in many Islamic-dominated countries. But what is Islamism actually? Is it more than a fanaticism of losers? And how should the West deal with the "moderate Islamists"? Answers from Sonja Zekri
Lawrence Wright's "The Looming Tower"
American journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright makes the history of Islamism sound like a political thriller. Andrian Kreye has read the book, which is considered by experts to be the definitive work on the prehistory of 9/11
American journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright makes the history of Islamism sound like a political thriller. Andrian Kreye has read the book, which is considered by experts to be the definitive work on the prehistory of 9/11
Ed Husain, "The Islamist"
In his book, "The Islamist", Ed Husain describes how he became an Islamic fundamentalist at the age of 16, and why he later quit the radical movement. Susannah Tarbush welcomes the debate Husain's book has caused
In his book, "The Islamist", Ed Husain describes how he became an Islamic fundamentalist at the age of 16, and why he later quit the radical movement. Susannah Tarbush welcomes the debate Husain's book has caused
The scope of the Iranian government's crackdown on dissent since the disputed June 2009 elections is even broader and the abuses more flagrant than previously reported. More on Human Rights Watch...
Renowned Columbia University Iran scholar Hamid Dabashi hosts "The Week in Green: A Window into the Iranian Civil Rights Movement". The weekly program aims to keep audiences plugged in to news and analysis on the pro-reform Green Movement in Iran. More...
The documentary film The Making of Islam: Empire of Faith covers more than a thousand years of history and culture, and a very large part of the world. Watch full PBS documentary on YouTube...
In "Ghost Wars", Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll tells the secret history of the CIA's role in Afghanistan, from its covert program against Soviet troops from 1979 to 1989, to the rise of the Taliban, to the secret efforts by CIA officers to capture or kill bin Laden in Afghanistan after 1998. More...
AVAAZ.org is an international civic organisation that promotes political action on issues such as human rights, and religious conflicts. The NGO's "Stop the Clash" video has had nearly 1.5 million views. Click here...