Erstellt am: 18. 5. 2015 - 14:11 Uhr

Morsi: more powerful as a martyr than alive?

Reality Check: Morsi gets death sentence, IS takes Ramadi, Macedonia protests, Democracy in Decline

Death sentence for Morsi

Former Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, has been sentenced to death by a Cairo court along with over 100 others.

EPA/DENIZ TOPRAK

Demonstrators in Turkey pledged their support for Morsi after the sentencing

It's the latest example of how intent President al Sisi is on destroying any remnants of the Muslim Brotherhood, but while he may want to send a strong signal, the ramifications of carrying out the death penalty could come back to haunt him.

At home, Morsi would become a martyr, and potentially far more dangerous to the military regime than he would be contained in prison.

Abroad, while neighbours in the region may not be too bothered by an execution, it would play very badly with Egypt's much needed ally, the United States.

Middle East analyst, Shashank Joshi, explains why it is will be in everyone's interests for Morsi to receive some sort of reprieve.

Islamic State takes Ramadi

The Islamic State is claiming to have taken control of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, close to Baghdad. Military analyst, Paul Beaver, discusses the latest developments.

Macedonia protests

Could Macedonia escalate into another Ukraine? Balkans expert, Florian Bieber, gives his analysis of the situation.

Democracy in decline

Marc Plattner, founding coeditor of the Journal of Democracy, explains why democracy is failing to take root in parts of Asia and the Middle East.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, Saturday from 12.00 to 13.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.