http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 22 May 2013 13:58:36 +0200 Wed, 22 May 2013 13:58:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif 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/europe/german-newspapers-comment-on-assange-case-a-850625.html#ref=rss Ecuador may have granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asylum, but it seems unlikely that he will ever make it to the South American country. More to the point, say German commentators, is the fact that both Ecuador and Britain have granted Assange an even larger soap box. Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:28:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-newspapers-comment-on-assange-case-a-850625.html Ecuador may have granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asylum, but it seems unlikely that he will ever make it to the South American country. More to the point, say German commentators, is the fact that both Ecuador and Britain have granted Assange an even larger soap box.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ecuador-grants-asylum-to-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-a-850458.html#ref=rss Ecuador on Thursday said it would grant political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been holed up in the country's embassy in London for weeks now. Britain says it still intends to extradite the whistleblower to Sweden, where he faces questioning over allegations of sexual offenses. Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:36:55 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ecuador-grants-asylum-to-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-a-850458.html Ecuador on Thursday said it would grant political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been holed up in the country's embassy in London for weeks now. Britain says it still intends to extradite the whistleblower to Sweden, where he faces questioning over allegations of sexual offenses. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/whistleblower-in-court-us-determined-to-punish-bradley-manning-a-803726.html#ref=rss For some, Bradley Manning is a hero. Others feel that the US soldier, who is accused of providing secret documents to WikiLeaks, is a traitor and a threat to American security. The military proceedings against him, which begin Friday, are likely to end in a guilty verdict. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/whistleblower-in-court-us-determined-to-punish-bradley-manning-a-803726.html For some, Bradley Manning is a hero. Others feel that the US soldier, who is accused of providing secret documents to WikiLeaks, is a traitor and a threat to American security. The military proceedings against him, which begin Friday, are likely to end in a guilty verdict.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/preparing-for-withdrawal-german-military-fears-civil-war-in-afghanistan-a-801253.html#ref=rss Officially, NATO troops in Afghanistan are making progress in the fight against the Taliban and will be able to hand over security responsibilities to Kabul as planned in 2014. Unofficially, according to secret US and German documents revealed in a German daily, military leaders fear civil war once they depart. Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:49:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/preparing-for-withdrawal-german-military-fears-civil-war-in-afghanistan-a-801253.html Officially, NATO troops in Afghanistan are making progress in the fight against the Taliban and will be able to hand over security responsibilities to Kabul as planned in 2014. Unofficially, according to secret US and German documents revealed in a German daily, military leaders fear civil war once they depart.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ten-years-in-afghanistan-german-general-says-nato-mission-has-failed-a-790539.html#ref=rss A top German general who was instrumental in planning the Bundeswehr's mission in Afghanistan has said that the intervention has failed and the Taliban will regain power within months of withdrawal. Ten years after the invasion, he is far from alone with his critique. Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:43:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ten-years-in-afghanistan-german-general-says-nato-mission-has-failed-a-790539.html A top German general who was instrumental in planning the Bundeswehr's mission in Afghanistan has said that the intervention has failed and the Taliban will regain power within months of withdrawal. Ten years after the invasion, he is far from alone with his critique.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/hate-and-violence-mood-in-northern-afghanistan-shifts-against-german-troops-a-766857.html#ref=rss The situation is in northern Afghanistan is deteriorating. Bomb attacks against German soldiers are increasing in frequency and force, and local ambivalence has turned into hate. The risk for Bundeswehr troops deployed in the country has increased as has the number killed. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:28:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/hate-and-violence-mood-in-northern-afghanistan-shifts-against-german-troops-a-766857.html The situation is in northern Afghanistan is deteriorating. Bomb attacks against German soldiers are increasing in frequency and force, and local ambivalence has turned into hate. The risk for Bundeswehr troops deployed in the country has increased as has the number killed. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-book-from-assange-s-deputy-the-difficult-partnership-of-wikileaks-leadership-duo-a-744718.html#ref=rss The release of a new book by former WikiLeaks spokesman Daniel Domscheit-Berg marks the end of a friendship with Julian Assange. But the book lacks the kind of analysis of WikiLeaks' influence on politics that one might have hoped for. It often feels more like the story of a spurned lover than an important historical account. Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:26:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-book-from-assange-s-deputy-the-difficult-partnership-of-wikileaks-leadership-duo-a-744718.html The release of a new book by former WikiLeaks spokesman Daniel Domscheit-Berg marks the end of a friendship with Julian Assange. But the book lacks the kind of analysis of WikiLeaks' influence on politics that one might have hoped for. It often feels more like the story of a spurned lover than an important historical account. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-decisive-transformation-berlin-exudes-optimism-in-extending-afghanistan-mandate-a-739140.html#ref=rss German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet is confident that improvements are just around the corner in Afghanistan. The government in Berlin agreed on an extension of the mandate authorizing its presence in the war-torn country by one year on Wednesday -- and hope was in no short supply. Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:24:39 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-decisive-transformation-berlin-exudes-optimism-in-extending-afghanistan-mandate-a-739140.html German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet is confident that improvements are just around the corner in Afghanistan. The government in Berlin agreed on an extension of the mandate authorizing its presence in the war-torn country by one year on Wednesday -- and hope was in no short supply.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/wikileaks-faq-what-do-the-diplomatic-cables-really-tell-us-a-731441.html#ref=rss A SPIEGEL ONLINE FAQ explains the origins of the diplomatic cables, their level of classification, the information they do and do not provide, and how to interprete the codes in the individual reports. Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:02:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/wikileaks-faq-what-do-the-diplomatic-cables-really-tell-us-a-731441.html A SPIEGEL ONLINE FAQ explains the origins of the diplomatic cables, their level of classification, the information they do and do not provide, and how to interprete the codes in the individual reports.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/internal-strife-at-wikileaks-german-spokesman-says-he-will-leave-website-a-719561.html#ref=rss A dispute has broken out within the leadership of WikiLeaks, the website known for publishing classified documents including the Afghanistan war logs. In an interview with SPIEGEL, WikiLeaks' German spokesman has said he will leave the organization as a result of rows with founder Julian Assange. Sat, 25 Sep 2010 10:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/internal-strife-at-wikileaks-german-spokesman-says-he-will-leave-website-a-719561.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/capture-or-kill-germany-gave-names-to-secret-taliban-hit-list-a-709625.html#ref=rss The Afghanistan war logs obtained by WikiLeaks revealed the existence of Task Force 373, a secret US unit assigned with eliminating Taliban leaders. Now SPIEGEL has learned that the German government provided names to the hit list used by the unit. At least one of the men is now dead. <i>By SPIEGEL staff.</i> Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/capture-or-kill-germany-gave-names-to-secret-taliban-hit-list-a-709625.html The Afghanistan war logs obtained by WikiLeaks revealed the existence of Task Force 373, a secret US unit assigned with eliminating Taliban leaders. Now SPIEGEL has learned that the German government provided names to the hit list used by the unit. At least one of the men is now dead. By SPIEGEL staff. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/washington-s-hidden-enemy-logs-suggest-pakistani-intelligence-controls-course-of-war-a-708887.html#ref=rss Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, appears frequently in the war logs obtained by WikiLeaks. They suggest that even as Pakistan served as an ally to the United States, it was still secretly helping the Taliban in its insurgency in Afghanistan. The documents also suggest a major role is played by former ISI chief Hamid Gul. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/washington-s-hidden-enemy-logs-suggest-pakistani-intelligence-controls-course-of-war-a-708887.html Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, appears frequently in the war logs obtained by WikiLeaks. They suggest that even as Pakistan served as an ally to the United States, it was still secretly helping the Taliban in its insurgency in Afghanistan. The documents also suggest a major role is played by former ISI chief Hamid Gul.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/accident-prone-wonder-weapons-afghanistan-war-logs-reveal-shortcomings-of-us-drones-a-708729.html#ref=rss Remote-controlled drones are supposed to be the miracle weapon of the Afghanistan conflict, taking out Taliban fighters with precision missiles and protecting Western forces. But the war logs files obtained by WikiLeaks show that system failures, computer glitches and human errors are plaguing drone missions. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:53:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/accident-prone-wonder-weapons-afghanistan-war-logs-reveal-shortcomings-of-us-drones-a-708729.html Remote-controlled drones are supposed to be the miracle weapon of the Afghanistan conflict, taking out Taliban fighters with precision missiles and protecting Western forces. But the war logs files obtained by WikiLeaks show that system failures, computer glitches and human errors are plaguing drone missions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-whistleblowers-is-wikileaks-a-blessing-or-curse-for-democracy-a-708632.html#ref=rss The whistleblowing organization WikiLeaks, which posted the Afghanistan war logs this week, has made publishing government secrets its mission. Many see founder Julian Assange as a hero, but others, including the Pentagon, consider him a threat to national security. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-whistleblowers-is-wikileaks-a-blessing-or-curse-for-democracy-a-708632.html The whistleblowing organization WikiLeaks, which posted the Afghanistan war logs this week, has made publishing government secrets its mission. Many see founder Julian Assange as a hero, but others, including the Pentagon, consider him a threat to national security.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-war-logs-could-shatter-hopes-of-success-in-afghanistan-a-708665.html#ref=rss The uncovering of almost 92,000 United States military war logs by WikiLeaks provides further evidence that the US and its allies are failing to make headway in Afghanistan, write German commentators. The logs may contain few surprises, but their gruesome illustration of the scale of operations over years has the potential to wreck any hopes that the war can be won. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:48:21 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-world-from-berlin-war-logs-could-shatter-hopes-of-success-in-afghanistan-a-708665.html The uncovering of almost 92,000 United States military war logs by WikiLeaks provides further evidence that the US and its allies are failing to make headway in Afghanistan, write German commentators. The logs may contain few surprises, but their gruesome illustration of the scale of operations over years has the potential to wreck any hopes that the war can be won.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/leaked-afghan-war-documents-former-pakistan-isi-chief-gul-denies-us-accusations-a-708592.html#ref=rss What part did Pakistan's former intelligence chief Hamid Gul play in Afghanistan? Die he support the Taliban, as leaked US documents on the war suggest? The former general vehemently denies the accusations. The whole thing is "pure fiction," he says -- a conspiracy aimed at discrediting him. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:37:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/leaked-afghan-war-documents-former-pakistan-isi-chief-gul-denies-us-accusations-a-708592.html What part did Pakistan's former intelligence chief Hamid Gul play in Afghanistan? Die he support the Taliban, as leaked US documents on the war suggest? The former general vehemently denies the accusations. The whole thing is "pure fiction," he says -- a conspiracy aimed at discrediting him.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-truth-about-task-force-373-war-logs-cast-light-on-dirty-side-of-afghanistan-conflict-a-708559.html#ref=rss The war logs cast light for the first time on the activities of the elite American unit Task Force 373, whose task is to hunt down senior Taliban in Afghanistan. Secret reports show just how cheap life is in Afghanistan -- and how often mistakes happen during missions. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:14:07 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-truth-about-task-force-373-war-logs-cast-light-on-dirty-side-of-afghanistan-conflict-a-708559.html The war logs cast light for the first time on the activities of the elite American unit Task Force 373, whose task is to hunt down senior Taliban in Afghanistan. Secret reports show just how cheap life is in Afghanistan -- and how often mistakes happen during missions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-on-the-war-logs-i-enjoy-crushing-bastards-a-708518.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, 39, discusses his decision to publish the Afghanistan war logs, the difficult balance between the public interest and the need for state secrets and why he believes people who wage war are more dangerous than him. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-on-the-war-logs-i-enjoy-crushing-bastards-a-708518.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/task-force-373-and-targeted-assassinations-us-elite-unit-could-create-political-fallout-for-berlin-a-708407.html#ref=rss The war logs provide new information about the targeted killings done by the secretative US Task Force 373. The fact that the force has a unit stationed on a German base could prove embarrassing for Berlin. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:39:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/task-force-373-and-targeted-assassinations-us-elite-unit-could-create-political-fallout-for-berlin-a-708407.html The war logs provide new information about the targeted killings done by the secretative US Task Force 373. The fact that the force has a unit stationed on a German base could prove embarrassing for Berlin.]]>