How does Islam differ from Islamist movements? What are the specific characteristics of Islamism in contrast to the liberal script? Why does Islamism play such an important role, in particular in the MENA region? To what extent do Islamist parties act as constructive political interlocutors? And how can German Foreign Policy respond to these dynamics, especially with regard to policies such as Feminist Foreign Policy?

Prof. Dr. Gudrun Krämer participated in an internal discussion round of the Federal Foreign Office’s department 3 which is responsible for diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Latin America and in the MENA-region. Her impulse about the role of Islam and Islamism in the MENA-region and beyond was followed by a lively discussion on specific political and diplomatic aspects of Islamism. Chatham house rules were applied to this round.