Arab Spring

Honest Broker How the Libya Summit in Berlin Took Shape

The path to this Sunday's peace conference on Libya in Berlin was anything but certain. First, officials in the German government had to convince all the parties in the conflict to attend. By Christian Esch, Matthias Gebauer, Christiane Hoffmann, Christoph Schult und Severin Weiland

How the Libya Summit in Berlin Took Shape - XANDER HEINL / PHOTOTHEK.NET / IMAGO

Middle East Protests Iran's Influence Could Lead to More Violence

The Arab Spring may have passed over Lebanon and Iraq eight years ago, but now protestors in both countries are taking to the streets to demand changes to the system. The regime in Iran is unlikely to sit idly by. Von Raniah Salloum

Iran's Influence Could Lead to More Violence - Wael Hamzeh/ EPA-EFE/ REX

Return to Gadhafi Era in Libya A Warlord Rebuilds Benghazi in His Own Image

Benghazi was the center of the revolution against former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. After driving out the Islamists, warlord Khalifa Haftar has set up a culture of surveillance and fear in the city. Now he aims to conquer the rest of the country. Von Mirco Keilberth und Fritz Schaap

A Warlord Rebuilds Benghazi in His Own Image - Sergio Ramazzotti/ DER SPIEGEL

The New Saudi Arabia Absolute Power in the Hands of a Crown Prince

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has embarked on a path to reform his country. But to achieve his goals, he is quashing all forms of critique. That is the wrong way to go. Von Jamal Khashoggi

Absolute Power in the Hands of a Crown Prince - AFP

Yemen Foreign Minister 'Our Enemies Want to Starve Us'

The ongoing civil war in Yemen has already cost 10,000 lives and there are no indications that peace will take hold any time soon. SPIEGEL spoke with the foreign minister of the self-proclaimed Houthi government about why the violence continues unabated. Von Susanne Koelbl

The Next Disaster Islamic State Expands as Libya Descends into Chaos

With two separate governments waging war against each other, Libya is crumbling. Islamic State is taking advantage of the turmoil to put down roots in the country. The US is weighing intervention. Von Christoph Reuter

Islamic State Expands as Libya Descends into Chaos - Ullstein Bild

German UN Envoy on Islamic State's Rise 'We Simply Can't Give Up on Libya'

With the situation rapidly deteriorating in Libya, the UN's special representative to the country, Martin Kobler of Germany, is pushing for a unity government in a last-ditch effort to halt the Islamic State's march there. He warns that time is running out. Von Juliane von Mittelstaedt

'We Simply Can't Give Up on Libya' - AFP

'I Wish I Could Die' Meeting the Man Who Helped Trigger the Arab Spring

The Arab Spring began five years ago when two men set themselves on fire in Tunisia. One of them survived his self-immolation -- and now wishes he hadn't. This is his story. Von Clemens Höges

Meeting the Man Who Helped Trigger the Arab Spring - Clemens Höges/ DER SPIEGEL

The Vanishing Why Are Young Egyptian Activists Disappearing?

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's security forces have been kidnapping scores of young activists in the country. They include former revolutionaries and Islamists who are, in many cases, being denied due process. Von Nicola Abé

Interview with Egyptian President Sisi 'Extremists Offend the Image of God'

In a SPIEGEL interview, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi discusses his country's struggles, the forceful overthrow of his predecessor Mohammed Morsi and the threat against Egypt posed by Islamic State and the Muslim Brotherhood. Von Dieter Bednarz und Klaus Brinkbäumer

'Extremists Offend the Image of God' - Rena Effendi/ Institute/ DER SPIEGEL

Path to the Presidency The Swift Rise of Egypt's Sisi

In June 2014, former military officer Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became Egypt's president. Did his election represent the will of the people or was it the product of a coup? And will it mark the end of the Arab Spring or is he a leader who can provide needed stability? Von Dieter Bednarz und Klaus Brinkbäumer

The Swift Rise of Egypt's Sisi - AFP/ Egyptian Minister of Defence

Once Upon a Revolution The Broken Dream of Tahrir Square

Four years after the Arab Spring uprising, Egypt has once again become a dictatorship. How could things have come to this? Author Thanassis Cambanis tracked three leaders of the revolution at Tahrir Square, documenting the slow death of their rebellion. Von Thanassis Cambanis

Minister and Consoler The Man Who Wants to Fix Egyptian Society

Mohammed el-Mahdi is Egypt's new minister for reconciliation. He's fighting to create a new country, even as society fragments. It's an uphill task in a land where the military is expanding its power and younger generations are digging their heels in for a fight. Von Ralf Hoppe und Daniel Steinvorth

The Man Who Wants to Fix Egyptian Society - Tara Todras-Whitehill/ DER SPIEGEL

From Icon to Exile The Price of a Nude Photo in Egypt

Egyptian Aliaa Elmahdy became an icon of the Arab Spring after she posted a nude photo of herself online. Then she fled to Sweden after receiving death threats from Islamist extremists. What and whom did her statement serve? Von Takis Würger

The Price of a Nude Photo in Egypt - Jonas Bendiksen / DER SPIEGEL

Mubarak's Lawyer 'He Will Be a Free Man'

Farid al-Deeb, the lawyer of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, talks to SPIEGEL about his client's health and ties to the current transitional government -- and why he believes the ex-president will soon be acquitted.

An Arab Nightmare West Dithers Over Taking a Side in Egypt

Egypt's political unravelling puts the West in a tight spot. Its reaction to this week's massacre will affect its image in the Arab world for many years to come. So far, it has been anything but assertive. Von Erich Follath

West Dithers Over Taking a Side in Egypt - AP/dpa

Echoes of Egypt Secular-Islamist Tensions Rise in Tunisia

Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring over two years ago. But growing frustration and violence have caused the chasm between secularists and Islamists to widen, leading many to fear political chaos like that gripping Egypt. Von Mathieu von Rohr

Secular-Islamist Tensions Rise in Tunisia - Ons Abid/ DER SPIEGEL

Mobility for Women Riyadh Metro Promises Social Change

In Saudi Arabia, a subway under construction isn't just a means of public transport -- it's a symbol of change. Officials hope the Riyadh Metro will relieve gridlock and help revive public life. It could also give women greater freedom. Von Susanne Koelbl

Riyadh Metro Promises Social Change - Zaha Hadid Architects

Opposition Mobilizes Politician's Murder Sparks Wave of Protest

The murder of a leading opposition figure in Tunisia has sent thousands of Tunisians to the streets. They accuse the governing Islamists of being behind the killing, and many in the opposition hope to harness the outrage to drive them from power just as popular protest recently did in Egypt. Von Ulrike Putz

Politician's Murder Sparks Wave of Protest - DPA

Revolution Reloaded Difficult Path Forward for a Divided Egypt

Egypt has been racked by violence since last week's military intervention to remove President Mohammed Morsi. What, though, is the way forward? The stories of three Cairo residents help provide clues. Von Ralf Hoppe und Daniel Steinvorth