SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 14, 2013
With the security situation deteriorating in Afghanistan, Chancellor Merkel paid a visit to German troops last week without even informing Afghan President Karzai. The move highlights frosty relations between Berlin and Kabul amid difficult negotiations for the 2014 troop withdrawal. By Ralf Beste, Matthias Gebauer and Gordon Repinski more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- 03.05.2013
Die Absturzursache liegt noch im Dunkeln: Das US-Militär hat ein Flugzeug für die Betankung von Kampfjets verloren. Die Maschine stürzte auf dem Weg von einem Luftwaffenstützpunkt in Kirgisien nach Afghanistan ab. mehr... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 30, 2013
Jihadists from Germany are engaging in combat, and dying, on the side of the rebels in Syria. Authorities fear the young and inexperienced fighters will be radicalized before they return to Europe, assuming they survive at all. By Kurt Pelda more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 19, 2013
In a surprise move, Germany's government announced on Thursday plans to keep up to 800 military trainers in Afghanistan after NATO combat troops withdraw in 2014. Though perhaps bold and symbolic, the move is also tactical in terms of upcoming elections. By Matthias Gebauer more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 16, 2013
The German military plans to withdraw from Afghanistan completely by the end of next year. As it pulls out, it leaves behind Afghan employees -- some 1,700 of them -- including interpreters, drivers and kitchen staff. The Taliban has threatened to kill the collaborators. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 06, 2013
Declare victory and then leave. That seems to be Washington's line in Afghanistan these days. The United States has even caved in to Afghan President Hamid Karzai on a dispute over an airline alleged to have transported drugs. Getting out, it seems, has become more important than fighting corruption. By Susanne Koelbl more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 22, 2013
NATO has long said it wouldn't abandon Afghanistan following the conclusion of combat operations at the end of 2014. But the alliance is having trouble agreeing on just what that means. Now, planning for the future training mission has run into trouble. By Matthias Gebauer in Brussels more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 21, 2013
Officially, the West plans to continue helping Afghanistan beyond the conclusion of the NATO mission at the end of 2014. But the US is planning a massive withdrawal, leaving behind a skeletal force of only 10,000 troops. Washington's allies will have to fill the gaps that result. By Matthias Gebauer and Christoph Schult more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 22, 2013
Taliban fighters are full of derision for Prince Harry following the broadcast of an interview in which he brags of killing rebel fighters. NATO officers in Kabul are likewise unimpressed. By Hasnain Kazim in Islamabad more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 31, 2012
Ahmed Rashid, one of the world's foremost experts on Afghanistan, once welcomed US intervention in the failed state. But in a SPIEGEL interview, the Pakistani journalist says the West's model for development is fundamentally flawed and must be changed. more... [ Forum ]