http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 23 May 2013 21:39:55 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 21:39:55 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tensions-rise-between-kabul-and-berlin-ahead-of-withdrawal-a-899319.html#ref=rss 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.  Tue, 14 May 2013 12:25:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tensions-rise-between-kabul-and-berlin-ahead-of-withdrawal-a-899319.html 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. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghan-employees-of-german-military-face-threats-from-taliban-a-894494.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:45:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghan-employees-of-german-military-face-threats-from-taliban-a-894494.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-training-mission-for-afghanistan-behind-schedule-a-884912.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:54:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-training-mission-for-afghanistan-behind-schedule-a-884912.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/us-afghanistan-plan-to-force-nato-into-greater-role-after-withdrawal-a-884836.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:09:41 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/us-afghanistan-plan-to-force-nato-into-greater-role-after-withdrawal-a-884836.html 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. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/prince-harry-criticized-for-comparing-afghanistan-to-video-game-a-879055.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/prince-harry-criticized-for-comparing-afghanistan-to-video-game-a-879055.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-government-report-paints-gloomy-picture-of-aghanistan-a-869333.html#ref=rss A new report by the German government says Afghanistan is making little progress towards lasting peace and security. The Taliban remains an operational fighting force, national reconciliation isn't advancing and attacks by Afghan security forces on international troops are a cause for concern, the report reads. Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-government-report-paints-gloomy-picture-of-aghanistan-a-869333.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/kandahar-murder-trial-to-shine-light-on-inhumanity-of-afghanistan-war-a-865310.html#ref=rss Robert Bales stands accused of having murdered 16 people in cold blood last spring in Afghanistan. But his defense attorney plans to put the entire war in the dock with him. Mohammed Wazir, who lost six children in the massacre, wants to see Bales hang. Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:33:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/kandahar-murder-trial-to-shine-light-on-inhumanity-of-afghanistan-war-a-865310.html Robert Bales stands accused of having murdered 16 people in cold blood last spring in Afghanistan. But his defense attorney plans to put the entire war in the dock with him. Mohammed Wazir, who lost six children in the massacre, wants to see Bales hang.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-eager-to-see-taliban-leader-rahman-behind-bars-a-864115.html#ref=rss German intelligence and special forces were instrumental in the recent arrest of Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Rahman. Ever since he hijacked two NATO tanker trucks in 2009, he has been a top priority for Berlin. Now, the government is even considering having him extradited to face justice in Germany. Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:43:36 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-eager-to-see-taliban-leader-rahman-behind-bars-a-864115.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/new-football-league-helps-heal-afghanistan-a-863085.html#ref=rss Afghanistan's first football league is supposed to help bring peace to the country, but some players are risking their lives. Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/new-football-league-helps-heal-afghanistan-a-863085.html Afghanistan's first football league is supposed to help bring peace to the country, but some players are risking their lives.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-faces-logistical-and-political-trouble-in-afghanistan-drawdown-a-861346.html#ref=rss The plan sounds good: Complete withdrawal of German combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. But it is hardly realistic. For one, it is a daunting logistical challenge. For another, troops will have to remain in the country to protect the military trainers who will stay after the main force leaves. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:48:08 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-faces-logistical-and-political-trouble-in-afghanistan-drawdown-a-861346.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/classified-german-report-reality-contradicts-afghan-withdrawal-plans-a-859016.html#ref=rss Berlin maintains that Afghanistan is on the right track for German troops to withdraw by the end of 2014 as planned. But a classified report by the German foreign intelligence agency paints a different picture. Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:36:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/classified-german-report-reality-contradicts-afghan-withdrawal-plans-a-859016.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/essay-on-german-plans-to-acquire-combat-drones-a-848851.html#ref=rss The German military is considering the purchase of combat drones. But we should not allow ourselves to be seduced by the idea that an unmanned aircraft is a humane weapon. On the contrary, they expose the true nature of war in all its brutality. Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/essay-on-german-plans-to-acquire-combat-drones-a-848851.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghan-president-karzai-asks-for-german-help-with-taliban-talks-a-845893.html#ref=rss Afghan President Hamid Karzai has asked Germany to act as a discreet go-between with the Taliban in the hopes of paving the way for eventual peace talks. It is a role that Germany has played before -- in an effort that was ultimately torpedoed by Karzai himself. Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghan-president-karzai-asks-for-german-help-with-taliban-talks-a-845893.html Afghan President Hamid Karzai has asked Germany to act as a discreet go-between with the Taliban in the hopes of paving the way for eventual peace talks. It is a role that Germany has played before -- in an effort that was ultimately torpedoed by Karzai himself.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-on-nato-afghanistan-pullout-a-834476.html#ref=rss NATO has announced concrete plans for withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, a decision that leaders called both "irreversible" and "responsible." But German commentators on Tuesday aren't convinced. They question whether Afghan forces can maintain control. Tue, 22 May 2012 16:41:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-on-nato-afghanistan-pullout-a-834476.html NATO has announced concrete plans for withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, a decision that leaders called both "irreversible" and "responsible." But German commentators on Tuesday aren't convinced. They question whether Afghan forces can maintain control.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tense-relationship-between-the-us-and-pakistan-since-bin-laden-death-a-832291.html#ref=rss Washington and Islamabad have barely been on speaking terms since US forces killed Osama bin Laden last year. But with American and NATO troops set to leave neighboring Afghanistan soon, nuclear-armed Pakistan has little motivation to improve relations. Hatred of the US is growing in the country. Thu, 10 May 2012 17:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/tense-relationship-between-the-us-and-pakistan-since-bin-laden-death-a-832291.html Washington and Islamabad have barely been on speaking terms since US forces killed Osama bin Laden last year. But with American and NATO troops set to leave neighboring Afghanistan soon, nuclear-armed Pakistan has little motivation to improve relations. Hatred of the US is growing in the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-concerned-about-increasing-numbers-of-cyberattacks-a-829908.html#ref=rss NATO cyberwarfare experts suspect that Chinese and Russian intelligence services are behind a recent uptick in cyberattacks against the Western alliance. SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that NATO's cyberwarfare unit registers up to 30 such attacks each day. Employees have been warned to be on their guard. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-concerned-about-increasing-numbers-of-cyberattacks-a-829908.html NATO cyberwarfare experts suspect that Chinese and Russian intelligence services are behind a recent uptick in cyberattacks against the Western alliance. SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that NATO's cyberwarfare unit registers up to 30 such attacks each day. Employees have been warned to be on their guard.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-us-military-faces-a-difficult-battle-against-psychological-stress-a-829390.html#ref=rss Once again, disturbing images from Afghanistan -- this time showing US soldiers posing with body parts of slain enemy fighters -- have surfaced. Are the perpetrators psychologically ill or has there been an increase in the number of violence-prone recruits finding their way into the American military? Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:54:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-us-military-faces-a-difficult-battle-against-psychological-stress-a-829390.html Once again, disturbing images from Afghanistan -- this time showing US soldiers posing with body parts of slain enemy fighters -- have surfaced. Are the perpetrators psychologically ill or has there been an increase in the number of violence-prone recruits finding their way into the American military?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-military-steps-back-from-exporting-democracy-a-829191.html#ref=rss The German military may soon adopt new guidelines that call into question the export of democracy, SPIEGEL has learned. In the future, the Bundeswehr is to take greater account of local traditions and institutions, even if they are violent and corrupt. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-military-steps-back-from-exporting-democracy-a-829191.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-members-are-sparring-over-funding-for-afghanistan-a-828627.html#ref=rss NATO has promised it will provide significant financial support to Afghanistan over the next decade. Reaching agreement on who will pay how much is proving difficult, however. Aside from the US, all member states are doing their best to keep their share as small as possible. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:19:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-members-are-sparring-over-funding-for-afghanistan-a-828627.html NATO has promised it will provide significant financial support to Afghanistan over the next decade. Reaching agreement on who will pay how much is proving difficult, however. Aside from the US, all member states are doing their best to keep their share as small as possible.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghanistan-withdrawal-poses-logistical-challenges-for-nato-a-825407.html#ref=rss NATO forces are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, but the withdrawal poses a massive logistical challenge. The US and its allies are dependent on air hubs in Russia and authoritarian Central Asian republics to transport its troops and equipment home -- and getting those countries to play along is not always easy. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghanistan-withdrawal-poses-logistical-challenges-for-nato-a-825407.html