Perspectives - Political Analysis and Commentary from the Middle East is a publication series of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung’s offices in Beirut and Ramallah that seeks to provide a platform for presenting analysis and viewpoints of experts from the region.

PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLICATION

Perspectives #4 November 2012 - Qatar: aspirations and realties

November 27, 2012 - In the Arab Gulf Region, one political actor, in particular, is becoming more visible, seemingly more engaged in navigating the uncertainties caused by the fast changes emerging in the region and in filling the gaps in this political scene: The state of Qatar. What is the role Qatar is trying to play in the region and is it being translated internally? more»

Print and Online Publication

Perspectives #2 May 2011, Special Issue: People's Power - The Arab World in Revolt

- The self-immolation of young and jobless Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi in the provincial town of Sidi Bouzid, being deprived of his vegetable stand and humiliated by the authorities, triggered popular movements and historic events in the Arab World completely unexpected in their magnitude… With Contributions from Mouin Rabbani, Fawaz Traboulsi, Ahmad Beydoun, Mohammed Ali Atassi, Hussein Yaakoub, Yassine Temlali, Asef Bayat, Muhammad Ali Khalidi, Terry Regier, Mansoura Ez-Eldin, Aref Hijjawi, Magda Abu-Fadil, Doreen Khoury more»

Print and Online Publication

Perspectives #1 April 2011: Nuclear Energy and the Arab World - Ambition and Peril

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In the first edition of Perspectives Middle East, activists and decision-makers from the Arab world and Europe critically discuss the transfer and use of civilian nuclear energy in the region.

With contributions from Mohamed Abdel Raouf, Hamed Beheshti, Ali Darwish, Leila Ghanem, Dennis Kumentat und Nikolaus Supersberger, Najib Saab, Larbi Sadiki, und Jürgen Trittin. more»
Important Notice!
Heinrich Boll Middle East and North Africa Office, Beirut does not offer scholarships. Please send your applications to the HBS foundation website
Perspectives #3: Syria's Revolution - Society, Power, Ideology
Latest Issue
Perspectives #4 November 2012 - Qatar: aspirations and realties
Dossier: Seasons of Change
Climate, Energy and Resource Politics in the MENA Region

In the midst of turbulent times in the Middle East and North Africa, the State of Qatar is hosting the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Doha from November 26 to December 7, 2012. This trilingual webdossier presents analysis and perspectives from a wide range of international and regional experts on how climate change, resource and energy politics relate to political and social change. more»
cartoons and minarets banner picture Dossier Syria's Revolution
Most Read Articles
Interview with Dr. Ali Khalifa Al Kuwari, author of “The People Want Reform… In Qatar, Too”
In the summer of 2012, The People Want Reform… In Qatar, Too was published in Beirut. The book which includes 11 contributions from different Qatari writers and academics was coordinated and edited by Dr. Ali Khalifa Al Kuwari, an academic researcher, writer and thinker. The following is an interview conducted with Dr. Al Kuwari on the background of compiling the book and the demands for reform in Qatar. Interview was conducted by Jenan Amin in October 2012 more»
The Syrian Shabiha and Their State

Yassin al-Haj Saleh, dissects the functioning, motivations, funding and ideology of the Syrian 'shabiha', from their appearance in the 1970s until their reemmergence during the revolution. Saleh shows their central role in maintaining a regime in power that has long lost touch with people’s interests, morality and reality.

By Yassin al-Haj Salih more»
The Syrian Revolution and the Role of Turkey
Turkey is one of the states that is most affected by the Arab revolutions of 2011. Thrown into confusion by the Libyan revolution, the Turkish government then found itself confronted by a popular uprising in Syria. First adopting the role of advisor to its neighbor, its failure to make the Syrian regime enact political reforms conducive to gradual democratic change, soon saw Turkey declare its open support for the Syrian people and their demands. By Bakr Sidki more»
Recommended Links

KAYANI is an independent media project designed and implemented by Syrian activists. It aims at contributing to the creation of a new Syrian civil society through establishing an independent platform for young voices of Syria who use audio-visual media to express their point of views. The main concern of the project is to portray the human-interest stories behind the Syrian uprising through artistic means.

Visit KAYANI's website here
Watch the project's short documentaries "A Tribute to Mehsal Temo" and "Yabroud declares Assad toppled" here

Dawlaty is an initiative launched by young Syrian activists and aiming at promoting the participation and engagement in the state building process in Syria through the development of creative tools like animation films, brochures, posters, graffiti... all materials developed use the Syrian dialect to expand the scope of the project's reach. more   
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