Most recent articles by Beat Stauffer
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Interview with Alaya Allani, an expert on Islamism
"The jihadists have no social base in Libya"
Alaya Allani, professor of contemporary history at the Monouba University in Tunis and a specialist on Islamist movements, does not expect that the IS terrorist militia will be able to establish itself in Libya over the long-term, although the jihadists have already successfully formed cells in some regions of the country. Beat Stauffer spoke to him in Tunis
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Jihadism in Tunisia
The invisible enemy
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb has established a base in Tunisia, from where the Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade apparently planned the attacks on the Bardo Museum. Beat Stauffer paid a visit to the province and city of Kasserine, which are viewed by many as a hub of jihadism in Tunisia
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Interview with the French Islam expert Gilles Kepel
Passion and suffering
For three decades now, the renowned French sociologist and political scientist Gilles Kepel has been monitoring the development of Muslim societies. He sees a close connection between the developments in the French suburbs and the events in the Arab world. Beat Stauffer spoke to him in Paris
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Presidential election in Tunisia
The temptations of the gentle restoration
Stability and security, rather than revolutionary turbulence and Islamist experiments: the good showing by veteran politician Beji Caid Essebsi in the first round of Tunisia's recent presidential election can be read as a desire for a revival of the Bourguiba era. An analysis by Beat Stauffer
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Migration in Morocco
From emigration to immigration
For decades, migration in Morocco flowed in one direction: towards Europe. Now, however, while fewer and fewer Moroccans are leaving the country, immigration is on the rise. For the first time, illegal immigrants living in the country are to be issued with residence papers. By Beat Stauffer
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Justice in Libya
Lacklustre Approach to Reforms
Establishing a democratic constitutional state in Libya is proving to be a painstakingly slow process. This is partly because a reform of the legal system is long overdue, and also as a result of the vigilante justice administered by armed brigades. Beat Stauffer reports
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The Moroccan Pro-Democracy Movement
Down, But Not Out
The Moroccan protest movement has lost much of its initial momentum. A clever strategy on the part of the palace, that has combined political concessions with repression, a lack of allies, the international economy and the fate of the uprisings in other Arab countries have all severely weakened the movement. But the Kingdom of Morocco has not seen the last of protests and uprisings. By Beat Stauffer
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After the Assassination of Chokri Belaid
Searching for the Ringleaders
The Leagues for the Protection of the Revolution are considered to be the prime suspects in the case of the assassination of the well-known Tunisian opposition politician Chokri Belaid. However, it is also possible that Salafists or networks of members of the security forces from the Ben Ali era could also be responsible for the attack. Beat Stauffer reports
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Clandestine Migration from Tunisia
Flight of the Hopeless
In view of Tunisia's persistent economic crisis and high jobless rate, also in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution, many young Tunisians are tempted to turn their backs on their homeland and seek their fortunes in Europe. This gives greater weight to projects aimed at improving prospects for the younger generation and persuading them to abandon plans to cross the Mediterranean. By Beat Stauffer
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Interview with Ahmed Shebani
For a Secular and Democratic Libya
Ahmed Shebani, founder and chairman of the Democratic Party of Libya, explains his critical stance towards Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril and the Libyan transitional council, in conservation with Beat Stauffer