Democratization and Climate Politics: Should they go hand in hand? Published: 30 August 2011 Are democracies are more environmentally conscious than non-democratic countries? Ideally, progress toward stable democracy and tackling climate change should proceed together. But sometimes political experimentation could retard the bold and urgent action now needed against climate change. By Peter Burnell
The German Mission in Afghanistan: Impact, Results and Consequences Published: 18 August 2011 German involvement in Afghanistan did not begin with the attacks of September 11. An analysis, goals and results of the current crisis of the mission in Afghanistan and a possible future. By Winfried Nachtwei
Protests for Social Justice: A Green New Deal for Israel? Published: 17 August 2011 During the ongoing housing protests in Israel, the Green Movement just released the first draft of a Green New Deal. Two chairpersons of the Green Movement link their economic plan with the currrent protests for social justice. By Alon Tal and Racheli Tedhar Kener
Israeli Social Protests: The Key To Changing Everything? Published: 15 August 2011 For the first few weeks of the social protests in Israel the press happily dismissed everything else – Palestinians, Iran, September, democracy barely reached back pages of the papers. The question at stake is, will the movement ultimately be forced by its own goals to confront and possibly re-interpret critical issues such in light of the newfound empowerment and social consciousness? By Dahlia Scheindlin
Religion, Politics and Gender Equality Published: 10 August 2011 Some observers see incompatibilities between democracy, human rights and gender equality, on the one hand, and a world in which religion plays an active role in public affairs, on the other. Others ask whether it is useful to see religion as the nemesis of gender equality, and secularism as others ask whether it is useful to see religion as the nemesis of gender equality, and secularism as the precondition for it.
A Case for Pseudonyms Published: 4 August 2011 There are countless reasons why individuals may wish to use a name other than the one they were born with. The "real name" policies of companies like Google and Facebook are shortsighted and a threat to diversity and free expression. By Jillian York
Housing Protests: The Israeli Summer Published: 3 August 2011 Protesters just over two weeks ago built a camp at the end of Rothschild Boulevard, just opposite Israel's National Theater and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. By the next day, there were fifty tents, and by week's end a hundred. By then, tent cities rose in a dozen cities and towns around the country. A report about the growing social protest against high rents and living costs which started in Tel Aviv and have captured the entire state of Israel. By Noah Efron
Religion, Politics and Gender Equality Published: 28 July 2011 Modernity predicted that religion would retreat into a private zone of worship and practice. However, recent decades have seen religion become increasingly salient on the political stage worldwide. This politicized religion impinges on women’s rights in problematic ways.
A First Step on a Long Journey: How Afghans Define Violence and Justice Published: 19 July 2011 In the past 50 years, Afghans have witnessed many rights violation and crimes committed by ethnic and ideological leaders, commanders, belligerent factions and locally powerful forces. This study analyzes the issue by focusing on how Afghan citizens assess these crimes today.
Ten Years After 9/11: Lessons Learned? Published: 14 July 2011 The attacks of 11 September 2001 represented a historic turning point of a scope comparable to that of the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. This year’s annual foreign policy conference took stock of the “war on terror” and formulated a vision for Afghanistan, the Middle East and global politics. By Stefan Schaaf