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Five daily prayers form the basis of Islamic life - even today, and even in the West... more
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Prayer: A friendly conversation, and an offer to unload the weight we carry through the world. Even if we can't get an answer to questions of "Why?", it is still worth asking. ... more
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Organized religions might be archaic, but faith is not. Cast in the middle of the material world, we remain deeply spiritual beings. ... more
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China's rise should not blind us to the darker sides of the country's political culture. Dissidents like Ai Weiwei and Ni Yulan continue to face detention and repression for defending the civic and political... more
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China's might is undermined by infighting and corruption. Unless the Communist Party engages in serious house-cleaning, we will soon see the end of the Chinese success story. ... more
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The Franco-German alliance has been the bedrock of the EU for decades. Today, it is beginning to show cracks. Different visions for the future of Europe and national politics threaten to undermine the... more
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The Weariness of Men and Nations
Jean Monnet wanted both supranational institutions and the nation state. His famous method could help tackle the current crisis.... more
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Choices on European Fiscal Federalism
It seems unavoidable that some European countries will have to support other EU member states. Yet Europe finds itself in an unfortunate bind: fiscal integration is unsustainable, and fiscal minimalism... more
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The fight for money and influence has turned politics into a fertile ground for corruption - in every country. The only effective response is strict prohibition: Politicians must not be allowed to overstep... more
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People who value money are unlikely to become politicians. But corruption remains endemic. Here are five reasons why. ... more
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The Poisonous Persistence of Corruption
When a lust for power meets with abundant resources, corruption is almost inevitable. The US appears to have found a unique response: Thanks to Citizens United, many questionable practices have now come... more
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Deep cultural faults run through America. The “greatest generation” and the baby boomers are dying - and we’re back to a situation that only the elderly can remember. ... more
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Americans are worried; they feel insecure about their socioeconomic status and the future of the country. But the middle class is far from dead. ... more
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A Different Kind of Exploitation
A country's decline begins only when initiative and excellence are no longer valued by society. The US middle class is not exploited by the free market but by the rhetoric of redistribution and fairness... more
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The past fourteen months have been a trying time for Egyptian Christians. After decades of repression, Copts must come to terms with new freedoms and discrimination. Their response: A diversification of... more
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Independence - An Elusive Dream
Algeria illustrates the long and hard path towards democracy: 50 years after gaining independence, the country is marked by corruption, social injustice, and foreign domination. ... more
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Abolish the idea of the "Middle East." Rooted in imperial phantasies of the past, the term is neither descriptive nor value-free. We are Arabs, Muslims, Northern Africans - but not "people from the Middle... more
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To Make The World A Better Place
Conservatives must modernize - by returning to their roots. The basic tenets of conservative beliefs still hold: The skepticism towards radical change, the commitment to stability in a risky world, and... more
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The Politics of Responsibility
Conservatism is not in crisis. In an uncertain world, personal and fiscal responsibility is required more than ever. Conservative politics can provide the blueprint for policies that are rooted in conviction... more
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We treat development and reconstruction like a simple recipe: As long as we stir in the right ingredients, the dish will be a success. Unfortunately, reality looks rather different. ... more
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Many Western activists still think that democratic systems can easily be exported to other countries. They happily pump money into the drafting of new constitutions and the establishment of liberal organizations... more
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After the Arab Spring, Western nations rushed to aid the newly empowered revolutionaries. But even a sincere commitment cannot compensate for a lack of knowledge. Aid without understanding is an obstacle... more
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Setting the Rhythm, from Tehran
Iran is facing a historic opportunity to shift the balance of power in the Persian Gulf region. The regime in Tehran stands to benefit most from the unrest of 2011. ... more
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The age of collapsing empires seemed to be long over. Yet with the rapid disintegration of the European Union and the failure of Russia’s attempt to liberalize its crumbling empire, the discussion is not... more
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The Three Evils of Global Governance
The high promises of the UN have remained unfulfilled: Instead of a global community, we see conferences for Heads of State and the proliferation of UN agencies. If the UN wants to remain relevant, Ban... more
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It's time for hope: What if the West called the bluff of Russia's rigged elections instead of recognizing the legitimacy of Putin's government? ... more
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Putin has recognized the danger of new opposition movements. Instead of ignoring dissenters, the Kremlin has moved to engage them politically. The divide-and-conquer strategy could well succeed. ... more
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There is no doubt: Vladimir Putin will be the next president in Russia. But his victory is as easy as it is poisoned. It will destroy Putin's greatest goals: Domestic stability and his own legacy. ... more
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Sarkozy's call for a European referendum on fiscal questions are bound to alienate the German chancellor. But for the future of the EU, the move could prove crucial: It signals that the EU is more than... more
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The French election signals a turning point in the debate about Europe: François Hollande's victory would open the field for fiscal politics that are not dependent on the squeeze of austerity measures... more
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In a time when an increasing percentage of European feel alienated from their governments and at the mercy of economic forces, the Roma are no longer the only marginalized group. Crisis can become the... more
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A decade from today, 20 Percent of some Eastern European countries will have a Roma ancestry. Yet despite strength in numbers, the cycle of exclusion and marginalization persists. ... more
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Education has often been cited by the EU as the path towards Roma integration. But the problems run deeper than a lack of training. And unless the EU abandons its shortsighted and misguided policies, change... more
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Amidst all the uncertainty in the Middle East, two truths emerge: Big power politics has returned to the forefront of international diplomacy. And the solution to the Syrian and Iranian crises will be... more
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In Libya, A New World Order Emerges
The Libyan war is not about oil, nor it is not about democracy. It is the new world order at work. The idea of national sovereignty is becoming obsolete in the face of humanitarian interventions. What... more
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Corruption is often portrayed as a problem of developing countries. However, multinational companies and banks often fuel corruption by bribing government officials and facilitating money laundering. Their... more
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Why is the Eiffel Tower 324 meters tall? Because we have agreed of what constitutes a meter. Without such shared everyday practices, our search for truth would lead to nothing but disagreement. ... more
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We want to tell stories, and we want to tell them well. But what about true stories? Beyond memory and debate, there are precious few guidances when it comes to non-verifiable facts. ... more
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"Creative nonfiction" - a contradiction in terms? No. Like the sailor manning the helm of a ship, we cannot strive for the perfect course to truth. The only thing we can do is watch, listen, and carefully... more
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The past decades have exposed the unintended consequences of car-based transportation. But times are changing: Cars are transformed from private vehicles into collectively used modes of transportation... more
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Transportation Is A Public Good
We value cars because we value our autonomy: To travel at a time and in a manner of our choice. For future mobility concepts, this poses a significant challenge: Can we expand the grid of public transportation... more
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The Roads, They Are A-Changing
For almost a century, transportation policy has been heavily biased towards private cars. Yet times have changed, and transition is inevitable. The question is: Will that transition be forced and disruptive... more
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Serious science cannot deny the importance of evolution. We are not determined by nature - but understanding our nature can provide the brightest path towards creating a world where all can see their potential... more
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In a world with confused sexual norms, evolutionary psychologists want to offer simple guidances: Men are programmed to impregnate many women, and it's in the female genome to remain faithful. It's time... more
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Nine years after the invasion of Iraq, Europe continues to define its foreign policy. While the United States have developed a clear doctrine for the use of force, European policy remains confused. As... more
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Iraq and the Pretense of Control
When the US invaded Iraq in 2003, its chest was swelled with self-confidence: A new democratic state would rise and prosper once Saddan was ousted. Nine years later, we know how unfounded that optimism... more
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Over the past year, US foreign policy has caught up with a new reality: Troops have been withdrawn from Iraq, American commanders refused to take sole leadership in Libya. Iraq has illustrated that America... more
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To make our lifestyle possible, each of us leaves behind gigantic water footprints. Without a change in consumption patterns, sustainability will remain an elusive dream. Go local, go seasonal! ... more
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Strategically useless, expensive and dangerous - the nuclear weapon has no reason to exist and should be banished. But nuclear disarmament still faces two main obstacles: The tendency to proliferation... more
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Good Intentions, Deadly Consequences
The civil use of nuclear power cannot be divorced from the history of the atomic bomb. We cannot continue to export reactor technology for civil use without undermining attempts to curb the proliferation... more
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It's easy to talk about disarmament. It's much harder to get it done. As long as treaties remain purposefully vague - and as long as we create more nuclear technology through the civilian use of nuclear... more
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We're tip-toeing into the abyss of mounting debt, economic stagnation and eroding confidence. But instead of questioning the decisions of banks and governments, we freeze in fear: "The Market" has struck... more
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The morning after is always tough. It's hard to remember what happened at the party, but the creeping feeling of guilt lingers. Blackouts are the opposite of responsible behavior - yet they have become... more
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"Sinner states" - countries that have failed to adhere to the rules of fiscal austerity are often branded as deviant outcasts. Even in the 21st century, the European media is relying on biblical rules... more
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Jean Monnet was not only a visionary, he was also a realist: Achieving a true integration would take many sacrifices – and quite a bit of courage.... more
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Germany's history with inflation is frequently cited as a reason behind Angela Merkel's rationale in the sovereign debt crisis. Yet the real issue lies in the widespread uncertainty about all of the conditions... more
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Greece, Ireland, now Italy - the Eurozone is sliding deeper into an existential crisis. But while governments are debating over rescue packages, they do little to address the underlying problems. The consequences... more
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Mounting consumer debt cripples Americans and prevents America's economic recovery. How did we dig ourselves into that hole? It began when debts became a marketable commodity. When the markets went haywire... more
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Financial capitalism has lost its legitimacy. The spiral of ever-increasing national debt and Wall Street speculation must be broken. And we must speak up against rhetorical embellishments that try to... more
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Moody's has downgraded Portugese and Irish bonds as the countries' debt increases - and contributed to market skepticism. But would a European rating agency solve the problems? We need to reduce our reliance... more
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It is easy to dismiss the occupy movement as idealistic or incoherent. Here's a different take: We may have finally reached that stage where remaining listless and indifferent is not an option. Occupy... more
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Having a youth movement is good. But what are the demands of the occupy protesters? Without a message, they might as well occupy their local playgrounds. Real change happens through institutions, not by... more
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The Palestinean quest for statehood is threatening to derail the already-defunct peace process in the Middle East. Unless Abbas backs down, we might see the end of the Oslo accords and a return to violence... more
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For Israel, A Fork In The Road
Israel would be doing well to accept the unitary government from Hamas and Fatah as a chance for the peace process. Given the latest events in the Middle East, to continue the hard-line attitude seems... more
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A Bold Vision For The Arab World
Barack Obama has offered a bold vision for peace in the Middle East. His message is clear: There is no alternative to continued talks and tough concessions from both sides. Peace cannot be achieved with... more
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“The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design”, F.A. Hayek once wrote. We would be well-served to heed his call and reinvigorate... more
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We tend to think of ourselves as rational actors - yet ultimately, we are very fallible creatures. We need regulation and restraint to overcome our irrational tendencies and to achieve better outcomes... more
Starving For Food, Starving For Cash
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A World Without The Poor, Not Without Poverty
Half a million die every year from malnutrition. Yet the fate of the world is decided without giving the poor a voice. The result is enduring poverty. The affluent need to face up to the consequences of... more
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We often causally equate drought with famine. Yet reality is more complex and more frustrating. Famine in the horn of Africa is largely fuelled by geopolitical interests in the region in collusion with... more
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Dreamers on the Puerta del Sol
The Spanish political system has been marked by dullness and corruption. Already, the protests have cracked the surface of stagnation. But a bigger question remains: Can the anger be channeled into concrete... more
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The conservative victory in Spain is no victory for the Partido Popular. While Zapatero has suffered from the economic downturn, both major parties are perceived as stagnant und unwilling to serve the... more
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The Wikirevolution Must Continue
The #spanishrevolution sent shockwaves through a political class that is both blind, alienated and increasingly self-absorbed. And it aspires to move its struggle for transparency and participation onto... more
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Money Makes The World Go Round
Skype's record sale, the new round of investments in social media companies and rumors about Facbook's public offerings recall the high times of the New Economy. In the 90s, a big bubble ended the internet... more
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The rise of social media has led to the emergence of a few companies that wield enormous influence - and have the potential to reap in the benefits of innovation. The current hype is no bubble but a sign... more
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The Arcane Art of Private Market Valuation
The logic of the social media market: Have an idea, expand quickly, and monetarize it before imitators arrive. Investments and values reach unprecedented heights. All ingredients for an unwanted bubble... more
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When Japan Sneezes, Germany Catches a Cold
In the German media, doomsday scenarios dominate reporting about Fukushima. In the US, the crisis is staged as the story of heroic emergency workers. But the dramatization misses the point. We look out... more
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Responsible Leadership in the Face of Disaster
The catastrophe in Fukushima puts many supposed truths about nuclear energy into question. Politicians need to address three basic points: the potential for worst-case scenarios, the long-term effects... more
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If we believe the headlines, it almost seems as if Japan was rocked by nuclear explosions, not by an earthquake. But our fears of radiation are overblown. Correctly understood, the dangers from nuclear... more
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EU arms exports to the Middle East have been skyrocketing in recent years, although economic arguments go against it. Despite the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, countries like Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt... more
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Arms Exports, A Menace of International Aid-Giving
In recent weeks, European politicians have begun to reassess their approach to autocratic regimes in the Middle East. But the shift in rhetoric has not resulted in a shift in policy. As long as current... more
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Farewell To A World Of Black and White
Critics of Islam such as Geert Wilders, Henryk M. Broder and Ayan Hirsi Ali fell silent when people in the Islamic world stood up for democracy. The revolutions unhinge the world view of Europe's right... more
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The far right uses Christianity as a tool to differentiate between “us” and an Islamic “them”. However, this try to draw ethnocentric boundaries around Europe will fail because there is no more ethnic... more
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The threat of "islamization" has helped right-wing parties to power throughout Europe. They try to forge nativist alliances by exploiting demands for identity. Europe needs to find a positive definition... more
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A Network of Networks, Unfazed by Censorship
Much has been written about the role of the internet in Tunisia and Egypt. One thing is certain: The internet is becoming harder to censor. It is a network of networks that connects online and offline... more
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On Twitter, An Energized Public Sphere
While no medium of mass communication can create the conditions and variables that compound into revolution, social media has served as the catalyst which has helped mobilize disenfranchised populations... more
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The internet has developed an impressive effect from Teheran to Tunis. Nevertheless, we should not speak of social media revolutions. 140 characters have never brought down a dictator. ... more
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The GDP might me an imperfect indicator for growth - but its alternatives are even worse. They replace objectively measurable numbers with subjective preferences. We must not deny the importance of growth... more
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Economic growth cannot be measured in terms of GDP alone. Numerical indicators must be supplemented by assessments of well-being if we want to understand what is actually driving our economies. We want... more
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Limitless growth has long been perceived as a natural law of economics. That idea is no longer valid. If growth is achieved through excessive risks and without measures of accountability, it might do more... more
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Wikileaks has exposed the secrets of the powerful. But their backlash is inevitable. Government oversight of the internet will increase, censorship laws will tighten. Julian Assange is only a minor victim... more
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Wikileaks is questioning the state's claim to have secrets. These secrets will continue to be there and they will be defended. Whistleblowers only have a chance if they do not try to destroy the existing... more
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Who wants to understand the meaning of the Wikileaks scandal needs to turn to the international press. The German media-partner “Der Spiegel” has drastically misjudged the real scope of the US-documents... more
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For many Europeans the massacre in Arizona is another evidence that political violence is spreading in the United States but this unfortunate event was the deed of a mentally ill person, not a political... more
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The Tea Party is here to stay. Republicans use the movement to get the dirty work done but have no intention to alter their politics. The disgruntled base has lost its coherent agenda. ... more
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The World Bank wants to fight poverty. Yet its organizational structure prevents sustainable policy. Rough times lie ahead for social development, human rights, conservation and climate protection. ... more
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World Bank and IMF have reacted quickly to the financial crisis. But poverty reduction must not be a phenomenon of troubled times. The development has to continue as the economy recovers. ... more
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IMF and World Bank have turned from aid-givers into mediators between rich and poor countries, from providers of progress into foreign policy activists and financiers of debt. Despite the economic upsets... more
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As likely as a visit from E.T.
The idea of a coming cyberwar is nonsense. The attention given to the topic only distracts us from bigger issues. Instead of gambling on a future of electronic warfare, we must continue to develop conventional... more
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The terrifying consequence of the Wikileaks scandal is the zeal with which hackers from around the world have shut down websites of Wikileaks opponents. Without realizing it, we have reached the cusp of... more
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International law is poorly equipped to deal with technological change. Cyberwars are just as dangerous as conventional warfare - yet there is no legal framework to guide us and to limit our enemies. ... more
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Contrary to the mantras repeated by the press, HIV infections are not increasing. We need to move away from activist scare tactics and towards complex risk management strategies.... more
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HIV continues to spread around the world. The funds to combat the virus are never sufficient. We need to prioritize resources and develop a comprehensive strategy. Tough choices lie ahead: in the long... more
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Bashir Barks But Does Not Bite
The scaremongering of the western media about a threat of war in Sudan is exaggerated; the current sabre-rattling is part of the business. Far more interesting is the question of why the peace process... more
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South Sudan has no future as an independent state. No common language, culture, or history unites the region. European and US lobby groups will try to establish a foothold in the south. The region is best... more
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The possible independence of south Sudan is exacerbating the crisis in Africa's largest state. President Bashir, who has already shown that he is indifferent to international humanitarian rules, is not... more
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Mobility is the central issue for tomorrow's cities. Without mobility, economic growth and political life become impossible. We need to break with existing networks and move towards communication and transportation... more
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Along with the emergence of global cities, we witness the emergence of slums. What is often overlooked is the critical economic role played by informal settlements. Slums give rise to new identities and... more
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Rapid city growth is just one side of the story. In many cases, it has slowed down and given way to another phenomenon of urban development. Tomorrow's cities will be defined less by the contentation of... more
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An increasing number of patents on genetically modified seeds is jeopardizing biodiversity. Companies like Monsanto have enough money to build a monopoly in the agricultural field. The lack of alternatives... more
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Copyright and patent law are nothing but monopolies in disguise. Their only justification is the promotion of creativity and innovation. Yet in practice, the obstruct the very tendencies they are supposed... more
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Re-Imagining the Public/Private Divide
Some goods and resources are better kept away from the free market. Air and water are communal goods, the well-being of society depends on their availability. If we allow them to be usurped by the market... more
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We can lead self-sustaining lives without sacrificing our standard of living. The only thing we need is the knowledge needed to create autarchic communities, and a mechanism to pass it along. The Open... more
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Our current system of trade is based on the availability of cheap fossil fuels. Yet the time nears when prices will rise and oil will become increasingly scarce. If we want to avoid this vulnerability... more
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The Amish people in Pennsylvania have long maintained independence from the rest of society. But even they have begun to embrace modern technology. Solar panels have made life easier while protecting the... more
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We need a happy "Yes We Can't!". Freedom is realized in our renunciation. If we want to foster a culture of freedom and happiness, we need to cultivate our asceticism. ... more
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The Honesty of Online Politics
Listening, persuading, mobilizing - political campaigning and canvassing are made easier by the social web. Now that the Obamamania is over, political parties are well-advised to continue courting their... more
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Social media and Google are quickly becoming invaluable to our lives. By breaking with old structures, the little start-up emerged as the most dominant force of the Internet Age. ... more
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The Engine of Swiss Literature
There are only about 50.000 people left who speak Raeto-Romanic. But this language is more than a relict from a museum: It is still highly topical as an expression of local culture and the engine of Swiss... more
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The right to self-determination is a concept that aggravates Madrid more than a red cloth aggravates a Spanish bull. Whoever wants to anchor it in the Spanish constitution is by default a sympathizer of... more
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The German federal government is relinquishing power to the EU in Brussels. Yet encouraged by the success of regional autonomy movements elsewhere, Bavarians want to bring politics back to Southern Germany... more
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When Two Quarrel, a Third Rejoices
The Kashmir border region between India and Pakistan remains a volatile hot spot in Asia. Violence and vested interests have long prevented viable solutions. But unless the two countries resolve their... more
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The long shadow of the Soviet Union can be felt even today. Around Russia, former republics and part-republics are experiencing turmoil across national and ethnic borders. If Moscow is not careful to play... more
The European Voice
The Syrian crisis has thrown a wrench into Turkey's regional ambitions - as long as Assad defies the international community, the country's foreign policy will remain paralyzed.
