Conflict & Intl. Politics - Heinrich Böll Stiftung

Conflict & International Politics

Photo by Marta Bogdanska

Introduction

Conflict and crisis continue to be the double term most consistently associated with the region. A multitude of fault lines today run across the region, springing from unresolved grievances past and present. As flash points continue to erupt, such conflicts radiate out and reach those who once considered themselves safely away over the sea. Accordingly, international efforts and intervention are being stepped up to set things right - but all too often, they get it all wrong. The program Conflict and International Politics is designed to analyze the roots of conflict, encourage constructive engagement with the memory and repercussions of conflict, and inquire into avenues to peaceful and cooperative solutions.

Events

Peace Prize

Hanaa Edwar from the Iraqi Al-Amal association awarded the Sean MacBride Peace Prize 2011 by International Peace Bureau

The International Peace bureau (IPB) is to award the MacBride Prize 2010 to the Heinrich Böll Foundation Middle East's partner Hanaa Edwar for her contribution to the advancement of democracy and human rights as well as her firm stand against violence and war. more»

Expert Conference

Turkey’s Relations with a Changing Arab World

- In the past years, Turkey has strengthened its political ties to its Arab neighbors, and economic and cultural interaction is growing. Arab actors are also increasingly calling for Turkey to assume a role in promoting stability in the region and acting as a mediator in its prevailing conflicts. more»

International Symposium

Cartoons and Minarets: Western Depictions of Islam and Muslim Public Protest 10 Years after 11 September

- On 1-2 April 2011, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Middle East and the American University of Beirut (AUB) organized a Symposium that shed light on the phenomenon of Islamophobia in the West and the responses of communities across the Muslim world. The debate concentrated on questions of freedom of expression, racism, integration policies, democratic values, critical self-reflection and humor. more»

Conference Report

Emerging Powers and the Middle East

- In Collaboration with The Carnegie Middle East Center

This conference held in Beirut, October 24-25, 2008 looked at the Middle East as a focal point of overlapping and competing interests of established and emerging powers, bringing together Chinese, Indian, Russian, Western and Middle Eastern specialists on international relations, who were encouraged to merge their perspectives into a comprehensive vision.

Analysis

Is it Winter or Spring for Christians in Syria?

Following the popular uprisings, there has been much amount of debate on the future of minority Christians sects in the region. Is the new Arab world hostile to Christians? Is it wise for them to fear the downfall of the Assad regime? By Doreen Khoury more»

Analysis

About Memory, Lies and Oblivion

- Memory and historical narratives play a central role in the mechanics of present-day conflicts. All sides aspire to preserve ‘their’ memory by controlling or manipulating the historical narrative in order to secure political power. By Ilan Halevi more»

Analysis

Guarded Optimism in the Arab World - Towards Obama’s Call for a “New Beginning between the United States and Muslims” in Cairo

- President Barak Obama’s call for a “new beginning between the United States and Muslims” in Cairo resonated deeply throughout much of the Middle East. The speech was the main event of his regional tour and signified a major break with the rhetoric of the previous administration. Much of the Arab media were full of praise for the speech. Critical remarks however, were also voiced, especially the question how this new rhetoric will translate into concrete changes on the ground. A review of Arab journalists’ responses by Layla Al-Zubaidi & Doreen Khoury more»

Study

Lebanese Perceptions of German Middle East Policies and the German Participation in the UNIFIL - Results of a Quantitative Study

- In this study based on a quantitative survey conducted with the support of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung for the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, the author examines the Lebanese perception of Germany's role in the middle east, the deployment with UNIFIL and prospects for a greater German role in Lebanon. By Dennis Kumetat more»

Analysis

No Place Home - Iraqi Refugees between Precarious Safety and Precipitous Return

- Large numbers of Iraqi refugees have been arriving in neighboring countries, especially Syria and Jordan, in particular since the conflict in Iraq evolved into large-scale ethno-sectarian violence and displacement. For a long time, this new and increasingly massive refugee crisis in the Middle East has been virtually ignored by Western media and public opinion. By Layla AL-Zubaidi and Heiko Wimmen more»

Analysis

UNIFIL – Peacekeepers in the Line of Fire

- Since October 2006, a beefed up UN force of some 15,000, including a naval force led by Germany, has deployed in Southern Lebanon to prevent new hostilities between Hizbullah and Israel, and to assist the Lebanese government in establishing its authority over the border region. But can the ‘new’ UNIFIL really make a difference, and be more effective than its predecessor? The author, spokesperson for UNIFIL for more than 20 years, attempts an assessment. By Timur Göksel more»

Publications

Publication

To the Death: A survey of the continuing experiences among fighters from Lebanon's Civil Wars

No history of the Lebanese civil war can ever be complete if it fails to explain why ordinary Lebanese chose to fight and how they perceive the actions they took during the war. With that in mind, this work has attempted to identify and elucidate some of the many factors that compelled Lebanese to enter the fray.
more»

Edited Volume