http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 19 May 2013 11:59:19 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:59:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/killing-of-opposition-politician-risks-plunging-tunisia-into-chaos-a-884242.html#ref=rss The murder of opposition politician Chokri Belaïd was also an assault on Tunisia's emerging democracy. It has exposed the chasm between Islamists and secularists, and threatens to plunge the nation at the forefront of the Arab Revolution into chaos. Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:08:53 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/killing-of-opposition-politician-risks-plunging-tunisia-into-chaos-a-884242.html The murder of opposition politician Chokri Belaïd was also an assault on Tunisia's emerging democracy. It has exposed the chasm between Islamists and secularists, and threatens to plunge the nation at the forefront of the Arab Revolution into chaos. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/salafist-intimidation-campaign-threatens-young-democracy-in-tunisia-a-870680.html#ref=rss Almost two years after the Arab Spring got its start in Tunisia, Salafists are intimidating women, artists and intellectuals. Many fear that the government is tacitly supporting the radical Islamists in their efforts to turn the young democracy into a theocracy. Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:35:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/salafist-intimidation-campaign-threatens-young-democracy-in-tunisia-a-870680.html Almost two years after the Arab Spring got its start in Tunisia, Salafists are intimidating women, artists and intellectuals. Many fear that the government is tacitly supporting the radical Islamists in their efforts to turn the young democracy into a theocracy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/islamists-and-secular-society-battle-for-freedoms-after-arab-spring-a-870652.html#ref=rss The rise of political Islam following the Arab Spring has many worried that the democratic achievements of the revolution could be lost. In Egypt and Tunisia alike, citizens are once again taking to the streets. But this time they are opposing Islamism. Does secularism still stand a chance? Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:20:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/islamists-and-secular-society-battle-for-freedoms-after-arab-spring-a-870652.html The rise of political Islam following the Arab Spring has many worried that the democratic achievements of the revolution could be lost. In Egypt and Tunisia alike, citizens are once again taking to the streets. But this time they are opposing Islamism. Does secularism still stand a chance?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/political-implications-of-the-arab-spring-18-months-on-a-842280.html#ref=rss One-and-a-half years after the start of the Arab Spring, Islamists have taken power in some countries, Gulf rulers are suppressing dissent with cash and Syria is descending into civil war. The Arab revolutions are at a turning point, but the horrors unleashed by Damascus could inspire moderation elsewhere. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/political-implications-of-the-arab-spring-18-months-on-a-842280.html One-and-a-half years after the start of the Arab Spring, Islamists have taken power in some countries, Gulf rulers are suppressing dissent with cash and Syria is descending into civil war. The Arab revolutions are at a turning point, but the horrors unleashed by Damascus could inspire moderation elsewhere. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-tunisian-prime-minister-hamadi-jebali-a-821144.html#ref=rss Ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali has warned against military intervention in Syria. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Jebali also rejects the prospect of Syrian President Assad being exiled to his country. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:42:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-tunisian-prime-minister-hamadi-jebali-a-821144.html Ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali has warned against military intervention in Syria. In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, Jebali also rejects the prospect of Syrian President Assad being exiled to his country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/women-s-rights-could-germany-learn-from-tunisia-a-820157.html#ref=rss German Family Minister Kristina Schröder traveled on Wednesday to Tunisia, a country that until last year's revolution had some of the most progressive women's rights policies in the Arab world. But now women there are fighting against the imposition of Shariah law in their next constitution. Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/women-s-rights-could-germany-learn-from-tunisia-a-820157.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-streets-of-the-revolution-north-africa-one-year-later-a-805190.html#ref=rss Twelve months ago, a young man in Tunisia ignited himself and triggered a revolution that spread across northern Africa. A year later, correspondent Alexander Smoltczyk set out in a new series on a journey to assess the changes the tumultuous Maghreb region has undergone -- from Morocco to Egypt. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:47:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-streets-of-the-revolution-north-africa-one-year-later-a-805190.html Twelve months ago, a young man in Tunisia ignited himself and triggered a revolution that spread across northern Africa. A year later, correspondent Alexander Smoltczyk set out in a new series on a journey to assess the changes the tumultuous Maghreb region has undergone -- from Morocco to Egypt.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/freedoms-at-risk-arab-women-fight-to-defend-their-rights-a-800447.html#ref=rss The Arab Spring seemed to herald a new era of emancipation for women in the Arab world. But Islamists are on the rise in Tunisia and Egypt, and there are worrying reports of sexual assaults on demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Many women in the region fear a rollback of what rights they had under the dictators. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/freedoms-at-risk-arab-women-fight-to-defend-their-rights-a-800447.html The Arab Spring seemed to herald a new era of emancipation for women in the Arab world. But Islamists are on the rise in Tunisia and Egypt, and there are worrying reports of sexual assaults on demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Many women in the region fear a rollback of what rights they had under the dictators. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/victory-for-ennahda-why-tunisians-voted-for-the-islamists-a-794133.html#ref=rss In a major setback for Tunisia's elite, the Islamist Ennahda Party looks set to lead the country's first democratically elected government. They appealed to the common people who sought greater credibility in politics. But concerns the country might soon become a new theocracy are exaggerated, because Tunisian Islamists are looking to Turkey as their model. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:43:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/victory-for-ennahda-why-tunisians-voted-for-the-islamists-a-794133.html In a major setback for Tunisia's elite, the Islamist Ennahda Party looks set to lead the country's first democratically elected government. They appealed to the common people who sought greater credibility in politics. But concerns the country might soon become a new theocracy are exaggerated, because Tunisian Islamists are looking to Turkey as their model. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-arab-spring-will-create-strong-islamist-parties-a-793876.html#ref=rss The strong showing by Islamists in Tunisia's elections has raised doubts about the Arab Spring. Will rule by dictators in North Africa be replaced by Sharia law? Islam will have to play a role, say German commentators, but it's not necessarily the end of the world -- and Tunisian secularists are also strong. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-arab-spring-will-create-strong-islamist-parties-a-793876.html The strong showing by Islamists in Tunisia's elections has raised doubts about the Arab Spring. Will rule by dictators in North Africa be replaced by Sharia law? Islam will have to play a role, say German commentators, but it's not necessarily the end of the world -- and Tunisian secularists are also strong.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tunisia-tastes-democracy-early-results-point-to-victory-for-the-islamists-a-793595.html#ref=rss Official results won't be revealed until Tuesday, but preliminary indications are that the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party may be celebrating a decisive victory in Tunisia's first democratic election. Some 90 percent of the country's registered voters cast their ballots. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tunisia-tastes-democracy-early-results-point-to-victory-for-the-islamists-a-793595.html Official results won't be revealed until Tuesday, but preliminary indications are that the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party may be celebrating a decisive victory in Tunisia's first democratic election. Some 90 percent of the country's registered voters cast their ballots.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-geek-role-in-the-arab-spring-european-group-helps-tackle-regime-censorship-a-791370.html#ref=rss Authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and North Africa have been trying to suppress the online voices of the Arab freedom movement. But Telecomix, a loosely organized international network of techies in Europe, has been helping them find ways around government censors. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:08:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-geek-role-in-the-arab-spring-european-group-helps-tackle-regime-censorship-a-791370.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-smiling-islamist-popular-politician-worries-secular-tunisians-a-791018.html#ref=rss Free elections are set to take place for the first time next week in Tunisia, the country that set the Arab Spring in motion. The strongest party could turn out to be that of Rashid al-Ghannushi, an Islamist who returned to his country from exile in London, in a developement that worries many secular Tunisians. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-smiling-islamist-popular-politician-worries-secular-tunisians-a-791018.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/return-of-the-islamists-a-questionable-form-of-freedom-for-north-africa-a-788397.html#ref=rss The autocrats are gone, but who will inherit power in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt? Islamist influence is significant across the region and conservative political groups are flexing their muscles. The coming months will determine just how much democracy North Africa can support. Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/return-of-the-islamists-a-questionable-form-of-freedom-for-north-africa-a-788397.html The autocrats are gone, but who will inherit power in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt? Islamist influence is significant across the region and conservative political groups are flexing their muscles. The coming months will determine just how much democracy North Africa can support.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/halting-steps-toward-democracy-arab-revolution-caught-between-euphoria-and-despair-a-779071.html#ref=rss More than half a year after the beginning of the Arab Revolution, pro-democracy movements in several countries appear to have stalled. The despots in Syria and Libya are fiercely opposing rebellions in their countries, while Yemen threatens to slide into chaos. Will the trial of Hosni Mubarak in Cairo give a new impetus to the protests? <i>By SPIEGEL Staff.</i> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:54:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/halting-steps-toward-democracy-arab-revolution-caught-between-euphoria-and-despair-a-779071.html More than half a year after the beginning of the Arab Revolution, pro-democracy movements in several countries appear to have stalled. The despots in Syria and Libya are fiercely opposing rebellions in their countries, while Yemen threatens to slide into chaos. Will the trial of Hosni Mubarak in Cairo give a new impetus to the protests? By SPIEGEL Staff. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/aiding-fledgling-democracies-g-8-leaders-pledge-billions-to-egypt-and-tunisia-a-765280.html#ref=rss Leaders of the world's top industrialized nations pledged $20 billion in international aid Friday to Arab countries on the path to democratization. They also united in the demand that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi "must go" and called for Syria's regime to stop using force against protesters.  Fri, 27 May 2011 14:02:22 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/aiding-fledgling-democracies-g-8-leaders-pledge-billions-to-egypt-and-tunisia-a-765280.html Leaders of the world's top industrialized nations pledged $20 billion in international aid Friday to Arab countries on the path to democratization. They also united in the demand that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi "must go" and called for Syria's regime to stop using force against protesters. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/frozen-funds-the-complicated-hunt-for-gadhafi-s-billions-a-762748.html#ref=rss The West had been hoping to use frozen assets belonging to Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and his clan to support the rebels. But that effort is proving much more complicated than first envisioned. Washington and Europe find themselves in an embarrassing predicament. Mon, 16 May 2011 17:53:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/frozen-funds-the-complicated-hunt-for-gadhafi-s-billions-a-762748.html The West had been hoping to use frozen assets belonging to Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and his clan to support the rebels. But that effort is proving much more complicated than first envisioned. Washington and Europe find themselves in an embarrassing predicament.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-boost-for-sarkozy-and-berlusconi-support-broadens-for-border-free-travel-changes-a-759499.html#ref=rss Several European countries have voiced cautious support for adjustments to Europe's Schengen border-free travel agreement. Given the ongoing influx of economic refugees from North Africa, the reintroduction of border checks should be allowed, say many. But travel freedoms, warned Germany, should not be questioned. Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:16:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-boost-for-sarkozy-and-berlusconi-support-broadens-for-border-free-travel-changes-a-759499.html Several European countries have voiced cautious support for adjustments to Europe's Schengen border-free travel agreement. Given the ongoing influx of economic refugees from North Africa, the reintroduction of border checks should be allowed, say many. But travel freedoms, warned Germany, should not be questioned.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/is-this-your-democracy-refugee-influx-exposes-limitations-of-european-solidarity-a-757666.html#ref=rss The influx of economic refugees from Tunisia has exposed deep rifts in the European Union. Italy wants help in dealing with the thousands of immigrants who have arrived since the beginning of the year, but the rest of the bloc refuses to provide it. It is just one more example of an EU struggling to stay united. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/is-this-your-democracy-refugee-influx-exposes-limitations-of-european-solidarity-a-757666.html The influx of economic refugees from Tunisia has exposed deep rifts in the European Union. Italy wants help in dealing with the thousands of immigrants who have arrived since the beginning of the year, but the rest of the bloc refuses to provide it. It is just one more example of an EU struggling to stay united.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-fruits-of-mohamed-the-small-tunisian-town-that-sparked-the-arab-revolution-a-751278.html#ref=rss On Dec. 17, 2010, a fruit seller named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire after a dispute with a government official. His act triggered the Arab Revolution. Why did it begin in a small Tunisian city? And how have local residents reacted to their new freedoms? Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:12:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-fruits-of-mohamed-the-small-tunisian-town-that-sparked-the-arab-revolution-a-751278.html