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The disturbing rise of right-wing votes in several states during the recent European elections asks for a revision of the concepts of integration, diversity and multi-culturalism. Michal Bodemann is advocating a new approach to maintain immigrants' distinct cultures, while at the same time open new gateways to institutional structures.

US officials and media have exaggerated Pakistan's proximity to collapse. Yet, the speed of Pakistan's decline has surprised many inside in the country who have long warned of the effects of religious extremism. Pakistan's leadership will have to face the extremist threat.

Last week's meeting between Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu showed a fundamental disagreement between the U.S. and Israel. Obama made it clear that he is committed to a two-state solution, yet Netanyahu vacillated. Israel and its most important ally may face a deep ideological and strategic rift.

Turkey’s engagement of Armenia represents only one element of a more ambitious Turkish agenda. Turkey is now pursuing a new policy of deepening its ties to not only the countries of the Caucasus, but also of including the countries of Central Asia.

Right now, the only regional market accessible to Armenian exporters is Georgia. Two other neighbours, Azerbaijan and Iran, are well-nigh inaccessible to Armenian exports. Thus, opening the Turkish market to Armenia would greatly improve the country’s investment rating which is presently stymied by the narrow limits imposed on its foreign trade.

Opening the Armenian-Turkish border and establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey will fundamentally change the relationship between all countries in the Black Sea and Caspian regions, as well as between the great powers for which the region is an area of vital importance.

Within Armenian political elites there is little to no opposition to rapprochement with Turkey. Many windows in Yerevan offer a good view of Turkey, and most Armenians realise that it is neither normal nor desirable to have two out of four land borders sealed.

Some of the Offices of of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Asia describe their work in the following short films.

Understandably, the G-20 in London will mainly focus on stabilising the global financial markets. But they must also not pass up the opportunity to steer the IMF and the World Bank on a green course to ensuring that public funds help overcome multiple crises and assist the poor and poorest populations.

A maize shortage has led to an unprecedented price hike in Kenya; government has declared the food insecurity a national disaster. Many Kenyans attribute food price inflation to mismanagement and corruption. But to what extent does it result from actual scarcity? Do food crop producers - many of them small farmers - profit from high food prices?