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 11:08:45 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:08:45 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/cricket-star-imran-khan-runs-for-pakistani-national-elections-a-897587.html#ref=rss Cricket world champion and former playboy Imran Khan found his way to Islam through a mystic. Now he wants to become Pakistan's prime minister and free his country of corruption and the Americans. Thu, 02 May 2013 13:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/cricket-star-imran-khan-runs-for-pakistani-national-elections-a-897587.html Cricket world champion and former playboy Imran Khan found his way to Islam through a mystic. Now he wants to become Pakistan's prime minister and free his country of corruption and the Americans. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-s-leaked-drone-memo-a-reminder-of-the-bush-years-a-882326.html#ref=rss The leak this week of a Justice Department memo justifying targeted drone killings of Americans abroad has opened President Obama to criticism and drawn comparisons to the Bush administration's notorious "torture memos." The document isn't on the same scale, but Congress should continue asking tough questions. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-s-leaked-drone-memo-a-reminder-of-the-bush-years-a-882326.html The leak this week of a Justice Department memo justifying targeted drone killings of Americans abroad has opened President Obama to criticism and drawn comparisons to the Bush administration's notorious "torture memos." The document isn't on the same scale, but Congress should continue asking tough questions. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/use-of-armed-drones-by-germany-in-new-wars-demands-new-thinking-a-882056.html#ref=rss Germany's government recently announced plans to do a 180-degree policy shift by deploying armed drones in combat. It argues that remote-controlled killing machines are no different than any other weapons, but experts say the "new wars" have completely different -- and revolutionary -- rules. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:26:14 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/use-of-armed-drones-by-germany-in-new-wars-demands-new-thinking-a-882056.html Germany's government recently announced plans to do a 180-degree policy shift by deploying armed drones in combat. It argues that remote-controlled killing machines are no different than any other weapons, but experts say the "new wars" have completely different -- and revolutionary -- rules.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-plans-to-deploy-armed-drones-in-combat-abroad-a-879633.html#ref=rss A document obtained by SPIEGEL ONLINE indicates the German government is preparing to procure armed drones for foreign combat. Opposition politicians are outraged by the development and note that the use of weapons-equipped unmanned aircraft is legally dubious and possibly unethical. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:49:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-plans-to-deploy-armed-drones-in-combat-abroad-a-879633.html A document obtained by SPIEGEL ONLINE indicates the German government is preparing to procure armed drones for foreign combat. Opposition politicians are outraged by the development and note that the use of weapons-equipped unmanned aircraft is legally dubious and possibly unethical. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/pain-continues-after-war-for-american-drone-pilot-a-872726.html#ref=rss A soldier sets out to graduate at the top of his class. He succeeds, and he becomes a drone pilot working with a special unit of the United States Air Force in New Mexico. He kills dozens of people. But then, one day, he realizes that he can't do it anymore. Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:03:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/pain-continues-after-war-for-american-drone-pilot-a-872726.html A soldier sets out to graduate at the top of his class. He succeeds, and he becomes a drone pilot working with a special unit of the United States Air Force in New Mexico. He kills dozens of people. But then, one day, he realizes that he can't do it anymore.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/increased-drone-use-triggers-privacy-worries-in-germany-a-858003.html#ref=rss Declines in the size and price of unmanned flying devices have led to an explosion in their public and private deployment in Germany. Despite their many benefits, the murky legal environment has many worried that drones could be used for unlawful purposes. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:27:40 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/increased-drone-use-triggers-privacy-worries-in-germany-a-858003.html Declines in the size and price of unmanned flying devices have led to an explosion in their public and private deployment in Germany. Despite their many benefits, the murky legal environment has many worried that drones could be used for unlawful purposes.]]> 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/president-barack-obama-has-disappointed-in-his-first-term-a-838648.html#ref=rss Barack Obama entered the White House as a savior. But he hasn't delivered. The ideological chasms in the US are as deep as they have ever been, with Republicans blocking the president at every turn. Who is responsible for his failure? Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/president-barack-obama-has-disappointed-in-his-first-term-a-838648.html Barack Obama entered the White House as a savior. But he hasn't delivered. The ideological chasms in the US are as deep as they have ever been, with Republicans blocking the president at every turn. Who is responsible for his failure?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/pew-survey-shows-germans-disillusioned-by-the-us-and-president-obama-a-838537.html#ref=rss Germans were ecstatic when Barack Obama took over the keys to the White House from George W. Bush. Now, though, a new Pew Research Center survey shows that disillusionment with the US president is widespread in Germany and that Obama has not lived up to the high expectations Europeans had of him. Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/pew-survey-shows-germans-disillusioned-by-the-us-and-president-obama-a-838537.html Germans were ecstatic when Barack Obama took over the keys to the White House from George W. Bush. Now, though, a new Pew Research Center survey shows that disillusionment with the US president is widespread in Germany and that Obama has not lived up to the high expectations Europeans had of him.]]> 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/german-citizen-killed-in-us-air-strike-after-joining-the-jihad-a-830585.html#ref=rss A US Army drone strike in March killed a German citizen who had joined the jihad in Pakistan. His death has the potential to reignite the debate over the legitimacy of air strikes by unmanned drones and may increase diplomatic tensions with the US. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-citizen-killed-in-us-air-strike-after-joining-the-jihad-a-830585.html A US Army drone strike in March killed a German citizen who had joined the jihad in Pakistan. His death has the potential to reignite the debate over the legitimacy of air strikes by unmanned drones and may increase diplomatic tensions with the US.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-drone-rationale-hints-at-war-with-iran-a-821151.html#ref=rss When it comes to America's security, President Barack Obama has turned out to be just as ruthlessly determined as his predecessor -- particularly when it comes to using drones to wage the war on terror. But the target of his recent legal repositioning might have much less to do with terrorists than with Iran. Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:47:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-drone-rationale-hints-at-war-with-iran-a-821151.html When it comes to America's security, President Barack Obama has turned out to be just as ruthlessly determined as his predecessor -- particularly when it comes to using drones to wage the war on terror. But the target of his recent legal repositioning might have much less to do with terrorists than with Iran.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/key-al-qaida-witness-hamburg-islamist-to-stand-trial-in-germany-a-817984.html#ref=rss Ahmad Sidiqi, an Islamist from Hamburg who received terrorist training in Pakistan for attacks in Germany, is about to go on trial in Koblenz. The 37-year-old, arrested in Kabul in 2010, became a key witness who has provided insights into al-Qaida. His testimony sparked a Europe-wide terror alert. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/key-al-qaida-witness-hamburg-islamist-to-stand-trial-in-germany-a-817984.html Ahmad Sidiqi, an Islamist from Hamburg who received terrorist training in Pakistan for attacks in Germany, is about to go on trial in Koblenz. The 37-year-old, arrested in Kabul in 2010, became a key witness who has provided insights into al-Qaida. His testimony sparked a Europe-wide terror alert. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/libyan-dictator-s-final-hours-shedding-light-on-how-moammar-gadhafi-died-a-795087.html#ref=rss How did Moammar Gadhafi die? The men who witnessed his last hours and the doctor who issued his death certificate have helped to provide insights into the dictator's final moments. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/libyan-dictator-s-final-hours-shedding-light-on-how-moammar-gadhafi-died-a-795087.html How did Moammar Gadhafi die? The men who witnessed his last hours and the doctor who issued his death certificate have helped to provide insights into the dictator's final moments.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/messengers-of-death-are-drones-creating-a-new-global-arms-race-a-792590.html#ref=rss They are difficult to detect, deadly and cheap to build. Despite the dubious legality of assassinating suspected terrorists and Taliban without a trial, the market for drones is heating up around the world. With Israel and China moving into the market, are we about to see a new arms race? Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/messengers-of-death-are-drones-creating-a-new-global-arms-race-a-792590.html They are difficult to detect, deadly and cheap to build. Despite the dubious legality of assassinating suspected terrorists and Taliban without a trial, the market for drones is heating up around the world. With Israel and China moving into the market, are we about to see a new arms race?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-bundeswehr-s-new-drone-german-air-force-unveils-powerful-spy-plane-a-791419.html#ref=rss On Wednesday, the German air force unveiled the latest addition to its fleet: the "Euro Hawk," a state-of-the-art spy drone. The reconnaissance aircraft can fly non-stop for 30 hours in the stratosphere without having to refuel and its on-board sensors can penetrate clouds and sandstorms. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-bundeswehr-s-new-drone-german-air-force-unveils-powerful-spy-plane-a-791419.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/drone-war-in-pakistan-photos-from-the-ground-show-civilian-casualties-a-775131.html#ref=rss In the US, remote-controlled drones are considered great tools in the war on terror. For years Washington has sent these high-tech weapons into western Pakistan, lauding their precision. But a local journalist says he has photographic evidence that civilians are often the victims. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/drone-war-in-pakistan-photos-from-the-ground-show-civilian-casualties-a-775131.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/drone-killing-debate-germany-limits-information-exchange-with-us-intelligence-a-762873.html#ref=rss Angela Merkel's government has come under pressure following the deaths of German Islamists in Waziristan through American drone strikes. Berlin has responded by restricting the type of information that German intelligence agencies may pass on to their US counterparts. Tue, 17 May 2011 15:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/drone-killing-debate-germany-limits-information-exchange-with-us-intelligence-a-762873.html Angela Merkel's government has come under pressure following the deaths of German Islamists in Waziristan through American drone strikes. Berlin has responded by restricting the type of information that German intelligence agencies may pass on to their US counterparts. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/striking-back-at-the-us-relatives-of-pakistani-drone-victims-to-sue-cia-a-740638.html#ref=rss Almost every day, people in the Pakistani region of Waziristan are killed or seriously injured by drone attacks carried out by the CIA. Now a group of victims' relatives is standing up to Washington -- by suing the US government. Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/striking-back-at-the-us-relatives-of-pakistani-drone-victims-to-sue-cia-a-740638.html Almost every day, people in the Pakistani region of Waziristan are killed or seriously injured by drone attacks carried out by the CIA. Now a group of victims' relatives is standing up to Washington -- by suing the US government. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-s-shadowy-drone-war-taking-out-the-terrorists-by-remote-control-a-722583.html#ref=rss Under former US President George W. Bush, the CIA used dubious methods, including the kidnapping and torture of suspects. President Barack Obama promised to clean things up, but instead he has turned to joystick warfare. These days, the CIA does its killing with the press of a button, with high-tech drone aircraft. Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-s-shadowy-drone-war-taking-out-the-terrorists-by-remote-control-a-722583.html Under former US President George W. Bush, the CIA used dubious methods, including the kidnapping and torture of suspects. President Barack Obama promised to clean things up, but instead he has turned to joystick warfare. These days, the CIA does its killing with the press of a button, with high-tech drone aircraft.]]>