http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:13:22 +0200 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:13:22 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-says-it-will-not-provide-arms-to-syrian-rebels-a-905830.html#ref=rss The United States has shifted its course on Syria following chemical weapons revelations, but international support is limited. Germany refuses to arm the insurgents, and Russia is openly critical of President Obama. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:12:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-says-it-will-not-provide-arms-to-syrian-rebels-a-905830.html The United States has shifted its course on Syria following chemical weapons revelations, but international support is limited. Germany refuses to arm the insurgents, and Russia is openly critical of President Obama. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-angela-merkel-on-euro-crisis-and-arms-exports-a-903401.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses Germany's power in the euro crisis and explains why the country exports weapons to authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:42:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-angela-merkel-on-euro-crisis-and-arms-exports-a-903401.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses Germany's power in the euro crisis and explains why the country exports weapons to authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-intelligence-believes-assad-regime-regaining-lost-power-a-901188.html#ref=rss Not even a year ago, German intelligence predicted Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad's regime would soon collapse. Now, the agency instead believes the rebels are in trouble. Government troops are set to make significant advances, it predicts. Wed, 22 May 2013 11:31:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-intelligence-believes-assad-regime-regaining-lost-power-a-901188.html Not even a year ago, German intelligence predicted Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad's regime would soon collapse. Now, the agency instead believes the rebels are in trouble. Government troops are set to make significant advances, it predicts.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-german-foreign-minister-guido-westerwelle-a-900611.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, 51, discusses the search for a political solution to the Syrian civil war, controversial German arms exports and how his family's experiences in World War II inform his positions today. Mon, 20 May 2013 11:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-german-foreign-minister-guido-westerwelle-a-900611.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/berlin-sees-chemical-weapons-as-trigger-for-intervention-in-syria-a-899962.html#ref=rss The German government is starting to worry about parallels between the Iraq war 10 years ago and the Syrian conflict. The Foreign Ministry believes that mounting concern over the possible use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime could prompt the US government to launch a military intervention. Wed, 15 May 2013 12:45:26 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/berlin-sees-chemical-weapons-as-trigger-for-intervention-in-syria-a-899962.html The German government is starting to worry about parallels between the Iraq war 10 years ago and the Syrian conflict. The Foreign Ministry believes that mounting concern over the possible use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime could prompt the US government to launch a military intervention. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-says-it-will-keep-up-to-800-soldiers-in-afghanistan-after-2014-a-895371.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:23:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-says-it-will-keep-up-to-800-soldiers-in-afghanistan-after-2014-a-895371.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/commentary-on-western-excuses-for-avoiding-intervention-in-syria-a-891927.html#ref=rss Western leaders -- and German ones, in particular -- have come up with countless reasons for not providing military support to Syrian rebels. But this just plays into the hands of Assad, who has nothing to win, but plenty to destroy. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:12:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/commentary-on-western-excuses-for-avoiding-intervention-in-syria-a-891927.html Western leaders -- and German ones, in particular -- have come up with countless reasons for not providing military support to Syrian rebels. But this just plays into the hands of Assad, who has nothing to win, but plenty to destroy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-former-german-chancellor-gerhard-schroeder-on-foreign-policy-a-891839.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, 68, talks about how difficult it is for citizens to accept military deployments abroad, the country's leadership role and what justifies war. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:19:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-former-german-chancellor-gerhard-schroeder-on-foreign-policy-a-891839.html In a SPIEGEL interview, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, 68, talks about how difficult it is for citizens to accept military deployments abroad, the country's leadership role and what justifies war.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-favors-putting-hezbollah-on-eu-terrorist-list-a-891665.html#ref=rss The German Interior and Foreign ministries want Lebanon's Hezbollah movement to be placed on the EU's list of terrorist groups if suspicions are confirmed that the organization was behind the bus bombing in Bulgaria last year in which five Israeli tourists were killed. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:23:54 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-government-favors-putting-hezbollah-on-eu-terrorist-list-a-891665.html The German Interior and Foreign ministries want Lebanon's Hezbollah movement to be placed on the EU's list of terrorist groups if suspicions are confirmed that the organization was behind the bus bombing in Bulgaria last year in which five Israeli tourists were killed.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-becoming-more-cautious-on-military-missions-a-890931.html#ref=rss Over the last 20 years, Germany has taken important steps towards normality, shedding its pacifist doctrine and taking part in combat missions abroad. But Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is undoing that achievement. Its refusal to join foreign deployments is undermining faith in Berlin's reliability. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:03:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-becoming-more-cautious-on-military-missions-a-890931.html Over the last 20 years, Germany has taken important steps towards normality, shedding its pacifist doctrine and taking part in combat missions abroad. But Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is undoing that achievement. Its refusal to join foreign deployments is undermining faith in Berlin's reliability. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/turkey-pressures-germany-to-accept-eu-accession-a-884824.html#ref=rss A European commissioner's remark that Germany and France would one day come crawling "on their knees" begging Turkey to join the EU has miffed Berlin and thrilled Ankara. As German Chancellor Merkel prepares for a visit to Turkey, the country is pushing for concessions. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:44:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/turkey-pressures-germany-to-accept-eu-accession-a-884824.html A European commissioner's remark that Germany and France would one day come crawling "on their knees" begging Turkey to join the EU has miffed Berlin and thrilled Ankara. As German Chancellor Merkel prepares for a visit to Turkey, the country is pushing for concessions.]]> 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/germany/german-approach-to-crisis-regions-frustrates-allies-a-878717.html#ref=rss German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is intent on keeping his country out of military operations in Mali. But his insistence on playing the role of peacemaker is increasingly frustrating Berlin's allies. Many in Berlin are likewise unimpressed. Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:16:19 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-approach-to-crisis-regions-frustrates-allies-a-878717.html German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is intent on keeping his country out of military operations in Mali. But his insistence on playing the role of peacemaker is increasingly frustrating Berlin's allies. Many in Berlin are likewise unimpressed.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/french-mission-in-mali-puts-germany-in-a-tight-spot-a-878187.html#ref=rss Germany is eager to prove it is a reliable ally, particularly after it snubbed France and stayed out of Libya. Wary of getting pulled into the violence in Mali, it has instead offered two planes to transport troops. Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:09:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/french-mission-in-mali-puts-germany-in-a-tight-spot-a-878187.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-faces-risks-by-offering-france-help-in-mali-operation-a-877490.html#ref=rss In Mali, the French air force is fighting to push back Islamist forces. The German government wants to stand by its close ally and has offered Paris logistical assistance. Is Berlin getting itself into another lasting conflict? Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:13:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-faces-risks-by-offering-france-help-in-mali-operation-a-877490.html In Mali, the French air force is fighting to push back Islamist forces. The German government wants to stand by its close ally and has offered Paris logistical assistance. Is Berlin getting itself into another lasting conflict?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-offers-support-to-france-in-mali-as-commentators-warn-of-risk-a-877401.html#ref=rss The German government on Monday unexpectedly offered Paris concrete support as French troops battle Islamist extremists in Mali. Though ruling out a combat role, Germany's military will provide transport and medical assistance. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:19:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-offers-support-to-france-in-mali-as-commentators-warn-of-risk-a-877401.html The German government on Monday unexpectedly offered Paris concrete support as French troops battle Islamist extremists in Mali. Though ruling out a combat role, Germany's military will provide transport and medical assistance. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/euroskepticism-grows-german-warnings-to-britain-fall-on-deaf-ears-a-877406.html#ref=rss Growing ranks of euroskeptics in the UK have Prime Minister Cameron scrambling to adjust his country's relationship with the EU. And diplomatic warnings from Germany and the US against such measures have only further encouraged anti-EU voices there. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:13:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/euroskepticism-grows-german-warnings-to-britain-fall-on-deaf-ears-a-877406.html Growing ranks of euroskeptics in the UK have Prime Minister Cameron scrambling to adjust his country's relationship with the EU. And diplomatic warnings from Germany and the US against such measures have only further encouraged anti-EU voices there.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/failure-threatens-german-afghan-police-training-mission-a-874825.html#ref=rss German officials have been training police in Afghanistan for a decade, but a visit to their training center in Mazar-e-Sharif creates major doubts about the effectiveness of the mission. Afghan police remain poorly prepared to tackle the mighty challenges they will face as Western forces withdraw. Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:55:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/failure-threatens-german-afghan-police-training-mission-a-874825.html German officials have been training police in Afghanistan for a decade, but a visit to their training center in Mazar-e-Sharif creates major doubts about the effectiveness of the mission. Afghan police remain poorly prepared to tackle the mighty challenges they will face as Western forces withdraw. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/popular-boxer-armored-vehicle-sparks-arms-exports-debate-in-germany-a-872177.html#ref=rss The "Boxer" armored personnel carrier could become a top-selling export item. But with interest in the fighting vehicle coming from questionable regimes, German lawmakers are beginning to demand a say in where Germany sells its weapons. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/popular-boxer-armored-vehicle-sparks-arms-exports-debate-in-germany-a-872177.html By SPIEGEL Staff ]]>