http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 19 May 2013 16:29:37 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 16:29:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif 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/how-german-islamists-recruit-young-men-for-jihad-a-851393.html#ref=rss Young Muslim men in Germany are systematically trying to recruit their peers for jihad using sophisticated rhetoric and psychology and by targeting vulnerable youths who are searching for direction in life. Two men who have quit the scene tell their story to SPIEGEL, providing a rare look into a dangerous underground. Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/how-german-islamists-recruit-young-men-for-jihad-a-851393.html Young Muslim men in Germany are systematically trying to recruit their peers for jihad using sophisticated rhetoric and psychology and by targeting vulnerable youths who are searching for direction in life. Two men who have quit the scene tell their story to SPIEGEL, providing a rare look into a dangerous underground.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/disillusioned-german-islamists-returning-home-to-germany-a-844799.html#ref=rss More than 200 Islamists are believed to have left Germany to join the jihad in Pakistan. But, after learning what life there is really like, many of them are abandoning the cause and heading home -- right into the unwelcoming arms of the law. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:41:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/disillusioned-german-islamists-returning-home-to-germany-a-844799.html More than 200 Islamists are believed to have left Germany to join the jihad in Pakistan. But, after learning what life there is really like, many of them are abandoning the cause and heading home -- right into the unwelcoming arms of the law.]]> 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/germany/spiegel-interview-with-german-foreign-intelligence-chief-a-827780.html#ref=rss The new head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence service, Gerhard Schindler, 59, tells SPIEGEL he wants the agency to become more willing to take risks. He also says al-Qaida is becoming more influential in northern Africa and that the killing of Osama bin Laden hasn't significantly weakened it. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:20:25 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/spiegel-interview-with-german-foreign-intelligence-chief-a-827780.html The new head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence service, Gerhard Schindler, 59, tells SPIEGEL he wants the agency to become more willing to take risks. He also says al-Qaida is becoming more influential in northern Africa and that the killing of Osama bin Laden hasn't significantly weakened it. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/suspected-al-qaida-propagandist-convicted-in-germany-a-823072.html#ref=rss A Syrian man living in Germany has been sentenced to five years in jail after a court convicted him on Thursday of promoting al-Qaida and other terrorist groups on the Internet. Authorities believe Hussam S. played a key role in German-language propaganda efforts for Islamist extremist groups. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:21:08 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/suspected-al-qaida-propagandist-convicted-in-germany-a-823072.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/islamist-motivated-violence-attacker-gets-life-for-murder-of-us-servicemen-in-frankfurt-a-814575.html#ref=rss It was the first successful Islamist attack in Germany. Almost a year ago, Arid U. shot and killed two US servicemen at Frankfurt's airport. On Friday, he was sentenced to life in prison. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/islamist-motivated-violence-attacker-gets-life-for-murder-of-us-servicemen-in-frankfurt-a-814575.html It was the first successful Islamist attack in Germany. Almost a year ago, Arid U. shot and killed two US servicemen at Frankfurt's airport. On Friday, he was sentenced to life in prison.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-pakistani-tensions-berlin-demands-explanation-for-spy-detentions-a-811063.html#ref=rss There is tension between Berlin and Islamabad after Pakistan detained three alleged German intelligence agents near the Afghan border. The men were unable to prove their claims to be aid workers. The mysterious incident has real development organizations worried about their reputation and safety. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:57:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-pakistani-tensions-berlin-demands-explanation-for-spy-detentions-a-811063.html There is tension between Berlin and Islamabad after Pakistan detained three alleged German intelligence agents near the Afghan border. The men were unable to prove their claims to be aid workers. The mysterious incident has real development organizations worried about their reputation and safety. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/anwar-al-awlaki-the-death-of-jihad-s-english-language-mouthpiece-a-789427.html#ref=rss Anwar al-Awlaki was one of al-Qaida's most important propagandists and influenced a number of attackers and jihadists, including two Germans. Now the Yemeni and US governments have confirmed that he has been killed in an air strike along with a second US citizen. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:45:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/anwar-al-awlaki-the-death-of-jihad-s-english-language-mouthpiece-a-789427.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-terror-suspects-alleged-connections-to-afghanistan-a-785806.html#ref=rss Police arrested two terror suspects in Berlin last week on the suspicion they might be planning an attack. Now SPIEGEL has learned that the two men reportedly had ties to a Berlin group that supports militant groups in Afghanistan. One may have received training at a terror camp. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-terror-suspects-alleged-connections-to-afghanistan-a-785806.html Police arrested two terror suspects in Berlin last week on the suspicion they might be planning an attack. Now SPIEGEL has learned that the two men reportedly had ties to a Berlin group that supports militant groups in Afghanistan. One may have received training at a terror camp.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-germany-is-in-the-jihadists-crosshairs-a-785343.html#ref=rss Two men were arrested in Berlin on Thursday on suspicion of stockpiling chemicals which could be used to build a bomb. German commentators have praised the work of the security forces, but warn that, as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, more needs to be done to combat terrorism. Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-germany-is-in-the-jihadists-crosshairs-a-785343.html Two men were arrested in Berlin on Thursday on suspicion of stockpiling chemicals which could be used to build a bomb. German commentators have praised the work of the security forces, but warn that, as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, more needs to be done to combat terrorism.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/suspicious-chemicals-two-terror-suspects-arrested-in-berlin-a-785104.html#ref=rss Police in Berlin arrested two terror suspects on Thursday, raiding their apartments and a Muslim cultural center. The two men allegedly amassed chemicals that could be used to make bombs. Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/suspicious-chemicals-two-terror-suspects-arrested-in-berlin-a-785104.html Police in Berlin arrested two terror suspects on Thursday, raiding their apartments and a Muslim cultural center. The two men allegedly amassed chemicals that could be used to make bombs. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-arrest-of-younis-al-mauretani-on-the-trail-of-the-al-qaida-phantom-a-784724.html#ref=rss Secret service agencies from around the world have long been searching for him. On Monday, the ISI in Pakistan finally managed to apprehend top al-Qaida operative Younis al-Mauretani. New details about his true identity have also begun to emerge. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:28:35 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-arrest-of-younis-al-mauretani-on-the-trail-of-the-al-qaida-phantom-a-784724.html Secret service agencies from around the world have long been searching for him. On Monday, the ISI in Pakistan finally managed to apprehend top al-Qaida operative Younis al-Mauretani. New details about his true identity have also begun to emerge.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/arrested-in-britain-the-path-of-a-young-german-salafist-a-783323.html#ref=rss Robert B. wore long robes, dreamed of paradise and called himself Abdul Hakiim. He and his friend were arrested in July for trying to enter Britain with bomb-making guides and al-Qaida propaganda. They now sit in a London high-security prison. But Robert's motivations remain a mystery. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:19:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/arrested-in-britain-the-path-of-a-young-german-salafist-a-783323.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/on-the-trail-of-said-bahaji-9-11-conspirator-reported-to-be-living-in-pakistan-a-783097.html#ref=rss Ten years after 9/11, the Moroccan-German Said Bahaji is one of the last remaining members of al-Qaida's Hamburg cell who is still at large. Now, German jihadists have told investigators that Bahaji is living in Pakistan's Waziristan region, where he works for al-Qaida's propaganda wing. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/on-the-trail-of-said-bahaji-9-11-conspirator-reported-to-be-living-in-pakistan-a-783097.html Ten years after 9/11, the Moroccan-German Said Bahaji is one of the last remaining members of al-Qaida's Hamburg cell who is still at large. Now, German jihadists have told investigators that Bahaji is living in Pakistan's Waziristan region, where he works for al-Qaida's propaganda wing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/swapping-combat-boots-for-the-preppy-look-report-warns-of-neo-nazis-disguised-as-boy-next-door-a-771790.html#ref=rss The latest annual report on extremism in Germany suggests that neo-Nazis have swapped the skinhead look for a boy-next-door image, making it harder to identify right-wing extremists. Although overall extremist crime is down, the tendency towards violence is increasing -- within both the far left and right. Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/swapping-combat-boots-for-the-preppy-look-report-warns-of-neo-nazis-disguised-as-boy-next-door-a-771790.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/terror-plot-or-homesickness-austria-detains-alleged-islamic-extremist-a-769405.html#ref=rss Austrian authorities have detained an alleged Islamist extremist from Berlin as he was traveling back from Afghanistan, where he had undergone terror training. The 26-year-old had boasted about attacking "infidels," but it is unclear whether he was embarking on a terror plot or simply heading home after becoming disillusioned with his cause. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:21:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/terror-plot-or-homesickness-austria-detains-alleged-islamic-extremist-a-769405.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/home-grown-militant-terrorists-claim-german-jihadist-dead-in-afghanistan-a-766406.html#ref=rss A German jihadist has been killed in fighting with US soldiers in Afghanistan, a major terrorist organization in the region is reporting. The man from Essen appears to have been killed only two months after entering into the war-torn country. Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:33:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/home-grown-militant-terrorists-claim-german-jihadist-dead-in-afghanistan-a-766406.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/friedrich-under-fire-german-interior-minister-has-yet-to-hit-his-stride-a-762877.html#ref=rss Hans-Peter Friedrich has yet to settle into his new job as German interior minister two months after his appointment. He has annoyed coalition allies and security officials with questionable statements about an anti-terrorism probe, offended Muslims and failed so far to come up with any policy initiatives. Tue, 17 May 2011 14:49:20 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/friedrich-under-fire-german-interior-minister-has-yet-to-hit-his-stride-a-762877.html Hans-Peter Friedrich has yet to settle into his new job as German interior minister two months after his appointment. He has annoyed coalition allies and security officials with questionable statements about an anti-terrorism probe, offended Muslims and failed so far to come up with any policy initiatives. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-jihad-homegrown-terror-takes-on-new-dimensions-a-761391.html#ref=rss Osama bin Laden may be dead, but al-Qaida is alive and well in Germany. Each month, an average of five Islamists leave the country for terrorist training camps in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area. Recent arrests in Düsseldorf show just how dangerous homegrown terror has become. Mon, 09 May 2011 13:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-jihad-homegrown-terror-takes-on-new-dimensions-a-761391.html Osama bin Laden may be dead, but al-Qaida is alive and well in Germany. Each month, an average of five Islamists leave the country for terrorist training camps in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area. Recent arrests in Düsseldorf show just how dangerous homegrown terror has become.]]>