Most recent articles by Ulrich von Schwerin
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Saudi Arabia's nuclear plans and IranIs a nuclear arms race looming in the Gulf?
At the recent meeting with US President Barack Obama in Camp David, Saudi Arabia threatened to make use of all the same technology granted to Iran in the emerging nuclear deal with the West. Is this the start of the long-feared nuclear arms race in the Gulf region? Or is it an attempt to force the US to take a tougher stance on Iran? By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Nuclear talks with IranThe long hoped-for breakthrough
The framework agreement reached at the end of the long negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme in Lausanne goes much further and is much more specific than latterly expected. Iran has pledged to drastically reduce uranium enrichment and made clear concessions concerning the duration of the planned deal and in the phased lifting of sanctions. By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Conversion of Christians and Muslims in IndiaHomecoming or forced conversion?
A heated controversy has been triggered in India over a Hindu nationalist campaign to bring Christians and Muslims "back into the Hindu fold". While the Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains silent over the issue, organisations allied to his party continue to pursue the campaign. By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Interview with Gudrun KramerMuslims must take a critical look at controversial passages in the Koran
The majority of Muslims are quite rightly resisting attempts by jihadists to co-opt their religion. Yet at the same, both jihadists and their opponents justify their arguments by quoting passages from the Koran. Ulrich von Schwerin spoke to the Islam Studies scholar Gudrun Kramer about the relationship between Islam and violence, the interpretation of the Koran and possible ways of combating jihadism
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The Uighurs' situationAn escalation of violence in Xinjiang
The number of reports of murders, attacks and unrest from the Chinese province of Xinjiang has been on the rise for months. The province's Uighur population has long complained about being disadvantaged in religious, cultural and social terms. The authorities claim unspecified "terrorists" are responsible for the violence, but the public almost always remains in the dark about the true background to the attacks. By Ulrich von Schwerin.
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The culture and faith of the YazidisDemonised and eternally misunderstood
Their persecution by Islamic State has put the Yazidis in the international spotlight. In her book on the Yazidis, Birgul Acikyildiz provides insights into the culture and faith of this endangered community. By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Iran's nuclear programmeHope must go on
In view of the stubborn hurdles on the path to a permanent nuclear treaty, Iran and the five UN veto powers plus Germany have agreed to continue their talks. Hope for a settlement remains. Yet the risks are not necessarily getting any smaller. By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Iran's role in the Iraq conflictAn ally, but not a puppet
For many Sunnis in Iraq, the country's Shia prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, is a puppet of Iran. In the West too, the view that Tehran is pulling the strings in Iraqi politics is widely held. But what influence does Tehran really have in Iraq, and what role is it playing in the current crisis? Answers from Ulrich von Schwerin
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One year on from Rouhani's election victorySurprise and disenchantment
A year on from his election victory, the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has a success story to show for himself that barely anyone would have expected him to pull off: the breakthrough in the nuclear talks with the West. However, Iran's economic situation remains difficult and there have been few improvements in terms of freedom of speech and human rights. By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Interview with Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig"The violence threshold is low"
Having already served two terms, Afghan President Hamid Karzai cannot run for president in the election in early April. The end of his twelve years in office marks the end of an era for the country. Ulrich von Schwerin spoke to Thomas Ruttig of the "Afghanistan Analysts Network" about the political situation in Afghanistan after over a decade of Karzai
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Narendra Modi and the Indian MuslimsDivisive figure could become India's next PM
Narendra Modi was chief minister in the Indian state of Gujarat when anti-Muslim pogroms took place there 12 years ago. Today, he is the Hindu nationalist BJP party's candidate for the post of prime minister. Will this exacerbate India's inter-religious tensions? By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Nuclear Talks with IranHistoric Step on a Rocky Road
The interim deal agreed at negotiations in Geneva is a breakthrough that would have seemed impossible just six months ago. By permitting stricter controls and limiting uranium enrichment, Iran has made concessions. But sharp criticism from Israel shows that the path to a final agreement is still strewn with obstacles. By Ulrich von Schwerin