Articles

NATO and Russia. How to Safeguard the Partnership

Ten years after the adoption of the NATO-Russia Founding Act and five years after the establishment of the NATO-Russia Council, the general mood is anything but exuberant. Cooperation is in an ambivalent state, debates about the planned deployment of rockets in eastern Europe are causing tensions, and the Kosovo question, the enlargement of NATO towards the east and the future of the CFE Treaty are putting a considerable strain on the relations between NATO and Russia. The question is: What is the problem?

Political Islam Gaining Ground. The Example of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt

In recent years, political groups inspired by Islam progressively made their peace with the characteristics of the democratic order. Their newly-discovered acceptance of elections and parliamentary processes results not least from a gradual democratisation of the formerly authoritarian regimes these groups had fought by terrorist means even in their home countries.

Taking Stock of the Work of the Legislative Assembly of the Russian Duma in the Legislative Period from 2003 to 2007

For some time, the Russian Duma has been dominated by United Russia, the 'party of power' that is faithful to Putin. Its current majority of 67.56% enables it to change the constitution without assistance. Acting in concert with the Fair Russia Party, the result of a merger between the Rodina and Shisn parties in 2006, United Russia largely supports the policies of the Kremlin, whereas alternative opinions are only intermittently heard in the Duma. United Russia controls legislation, acting as an instrument of the national government and particularly the Russian president.

The EU and Africa on the Way towards a Strategic Partnership

For a long time, development-policy aspects have not been the only reason why the gaze of the global public rested increasingly on Africa. For one thing, the continent's growing importance is reflected in the intensifying contest for influence and resources that is going on between the West and China and other countries, a development in which Europe is directly involved.

Another Chance for the Orange Camp? One more Change of Government

Erneuter Machtwechsel nach vorgezogenen Parlamentswahlen in der Ukraine.

Not even eighteen months had passed since the last parliamentary elections in Ukraine when the parliament and the president of this east European country agreed on new elections.

Cuba and the Human Rights - Executive Summary

Over the last few years, there has been no change regarding the protection and enforcement of human rights in Cuba.

Editorial der Ausgabe: "Auslandsinformationen 10/2007"

„Menschenrechte sind unteilbar. Die CDU wird auch künftig ihre Stimme erheben, wenn Demokratie, Freiheit, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Minderheitenrechte in Gefahr sind. Menschenrechte und Grundfreiheiten müssen in aller Welt gegenüber dem Souveränitätsprinzip Vorrang haben.“ Mit dieser Aussage endet der Entwurf des neuen CDU-Grundsatzprogramms, in welchem der weltweiten Beachtung der Menschenrechte überaus große Bedeutung beigemessen wird. Grundlage dieses eindeutigen Bekenntnisses zum festen Eintreten für die Verwirklichung der Menschenrechte ist das christliche Menschenbild. Dem Menschen kommt als „imago dei“ allein dank seines Daseins Menschenwürde zu. Damit wird die so begründete Ehre und Würde eines jeden Menschen zum zentralen Orientierungspunkt politischen Handelns.

Rumania’s Foreign Policy and Its Contribution towards the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy

After the downfall of communism, Rumania’s foreign policy aimed at two things – the country’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic security system and its accession to the European Union.

The Light and Dark Side of Reform

One of the key points of the reform programme of Mexico’s government is the reformulation of the electoral legislation.

The Opposition in Venezuela – an Alternative to Chávez?

Once again, Venezuela's president Hugo Chávez Frías held on to power late in 2006 by winning 63 percent of the votes cast in an election that was recognised as basically clean and peaceful by both the OAS and the EU.