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 06:44:56 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:44:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/putin-uses-patriotism-to-strengthen-hold-on-russia-a-898170.html#ref=rss Exactly one year ago, Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin following a brief hiatus. Since then, he has markedly reduced protest freedoms, undermined the judiciary and presented himself as a patriotic man of the people. He wants to free himself of his party and parliament. Mon, 06 May 2013 18:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/putin-uses-patriotism-to-strengthen-hold-on-russia-a-898170.html Exactly one year ago, Vladimir Putin returned to the Kremlin following a brief hiatus. Since then, he has markedly reduced protest freedoms, undermined the judiciary and presented himself as a patriotic man of the people. He wants to free himself of his party and parliament.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/moscow-may-order-release-of-imprisoned-russian-oligarch-khodorkovsky-a-895760.html#ref=rss Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man and Putin's strongest adversary, could soon be released from prison. Can the polarizing oil tycoon reinvigorate a beleagered opposition? Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/moscow-may-order-release-of-imprisoned-russian-oligarch-khodorkovsky-a-895760.html Mikhail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man and Putin's strongest adversary, could soon be released from prison. Can the polarizing oil tycoon reinvigorate a beleagered opposition?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russian-opposition-blogger-on-trial-in-russia-a-894891.html#ref=rss Blogger Alexei Navalny, a leading figure in Russia's opposition movement, helped to deprive President Vladimir Putin's party of its two-thirds majority in the 2011 parliamentary election. Now he's on trial for embezzlement, and even investigators aren't hiding the fact that the case is politically motivated. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russian-opposition-blogger-on-trial-in-russia-a-894891.html Blogger Alexei Navalny, a leading figure in Russia's opposition movement, helped to deprive President Vladimir Putin's party of its two-thirds majority in the 2011 parliamentary election. Now he's on trial for embezzlement, and even investigators aren't hiding the fact that the case is politically motivated.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-dutch-gay-human-rights-activist-boris-ditrich-a-892800.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview, Boris Dittrich, advocacy director of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender program at Human Rights Watch, discusses the current debates on same-sex marriage in Europe and the United States and virulent homophobia in Russia and Uganda. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-dutch-gay-human-rights-activist-boris-ditrich-a-892800.html In a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview, Boris Dittrich, advocacy director of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender program at Human Rights Watch, discusses the current debates on same-sex marriage in Europe and the United States and virulent homophobia in Russia and Uganda. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-ngo-raids-a-sign-of-growing-authoritarianism-say-commentators-a-891248.html#ref=rss Russia continued its series of raids on non-governmental organizations on Wednesday with visits to Human Rights Watch and Transparency International. The operation, say German commentators, is just the latest sign that Russian civil society is eroding and President Putin is turning into a dictator. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-ngo-raids-a-sign-of-growing-authoritarianism-say-commentators-a-891248.html Russia continued its series of raids on non-governmental organizations on Wednesday with visits to Human Rights Watch and Transparency International. The operation, say German commentators, is just the latest sign that Russian civil society is eroding and President Putin is turning into a dictator.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/letters-how-pussy-riot-members-were-manipulated-during-trial-a-884513.html#ref=rss Three women from the Russian punk bank Pussy Riot secretly wrote each other letters while in pretrial detention. The letters show how state power was used to manipulate the trial and divide the punk band. And President Putin? He benefited from the scandal and tightened his grip on power. Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:24:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/letters-how-pussy-riot-members-were-manipulated-during-trial-a-884513.html Three women from the Russian punk bank Pussy Riot secretly wrote each other letters while in pretrial detention. The letters show how state power was used to manipulate the trial and divide the punk band. And President Putin? He benefited from the scandal and tightened his grip on power.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-foreign-minister-criticizes-russian-legislation-against-gays-a-880311.html#ref=rss Moscow is currently seeking to make "homosexual propaganda" a prosecutable offense. But in Germany, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has warned Russia's ambassador that the new legislation could aggravate European-Russian relations. Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:51:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-foreign-minister-criticizes-russian-legislation-against-gays-a-880311.html Moscow is currently seeking to make "homosexual propaganda" a prosecutable offense. But in Germany, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has warned Russia's ambassador that the new legislation could aggravate European-Russian relations.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-putin-ally-alexei-kudrin-on-democracy-in-russia-a-878873.html#ref=rss Alexei Kudrin is seen as having good chances to succeed Dmitry Medvedev as Russian prime minister. In a SPIEGEL interview, he speaks about the need for more democracy in his country, President Putin's pragmatism and the dangers still facing the euro zone. Wed, 23 Jan 2013 10:21:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-putin-ally-alexei-kudrin-on-democracy-in-russia-a-878873.html Alexei Kudrin is seen as having good chances to succeed Dmitry Medvedev as Russian prime minister. In a SPIEGEL interview, he speaks about the need for more democracy in his country, President Putin's pragmatism and the dangers still facing the euro zone.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/meeting-with-pussy-riot-members-in-hiding-a-870668.html#ref=rss As Moscow bans video clips by Pussy Riot, the Russian media celebrates the end of the protest band. But some of the women have gone underground and are using a hidden apartment as their headquarters. They plan to continue their fight. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:04:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/meeting-with-pussy-riot-members-in-hiding-a-870668.html As Moscow bans video clips by Pussy Riot, the Russian media celebrates the end of the protest band. But some of the women have gone underground and are using a hidden apartment as their headquarters. They plan to continue their fight.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/grassroots-movement-gains-momentum-in-russia-a-868338.html#ref=rss President Vladimir Putin has overwhelmed the leaders of Russia's opposition with Soviet-style methods. But he will not be able to stop the modernization of Russian society in the same way. A new grassroots movement is already taking shape. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:20:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/grassroots-movement-gains-momentum-in-russia-a-868338.html President Vladimir Putin has overwhelmed the leaders of Russia's opposition with Soviet-style methods. But he will not be able to stop the modernization of Russian society in the same way. A new grassroots movement is already taking shape.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/important-medvedev-advisor-warns-russia-will-not-progress-under-putin-a-868562.html#ref=rss Putin's Russia is so stable today that it is even capable of withstanding the forces of economic crises, Moscow economist Vladislav Inozemtsev maintains in a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview. He argues the West should give up its hopes for democracy and modernization in the country and instead focus on business ties. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/important-medvedev-advisor-warns-russia-will-not-progress-under-putin-a-868562.html Putin's Russia is so stable today that it is even capable of withstanding the forces of economic crises, Moscow economist Vladislav Inozemtsev maintains in a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview. He argues the West should give up its hopes for democracy and modernization in the country and instead focus on business ties.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-human-rights-watch-on-german-and-russian-relations-a-867687.html#ref=rss Relations between Germany and Russia are tenser right now than they have been in months, with Berlin becoming more open about Moscow's human rights shortcomings. But a prominent human rights activist argues that Chancellor Angela Merkel should take advantage of her "enormous personal authority" to do more. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-human-rights-watch-on-german-and-russian-relations-a-867687.html Relations between Germany and Russia are tenser right now than they have been in months, with Berlin becoming more open about Moscow's human rights shortcomings. But a prominent human rights activist argues that Chancellor Angela Merkel should take advantage of her "enormous personal authority" to do more.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-harsh-tone-dominates-russian-german-consultations-in-moscow-a-867622.html#ref=rss Germany's relationship with Russia has eroded in recent years, with Berlin becoming much more critical of President Vladimir Putin's slow slide into authoritarianism. Ahead of Merkel's Friday arrival in Moscow, top Russian officials have ratcheted up the caustic rhetoric in response. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:04:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-harsh-tone-dominates-russian-german-consultations-in-moscow-a-867622.html Germany's relationship with Russia has eroded in recent years, with Berlin becoming much more critical of President Vladimir Putin's slow slide into authoritarianism. Ahead of Merkel's Friday arrival in Moscow, top Russian officials have ratcheted up the caustic rhetoric in response. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/petersburg-dialogue-forces-russia-and-germany-to-overcome-tensions-a-867217.html#ref=rss Relations between Moscow and Berlin are particularly chilly ahead of the Petersburg Dialogue, a biannual meeting of politicians, businessmen, and civil-society representatives from Russia and Germany. Both sides will have no choice but to talk, listen and swallow some uncomfortable truths. Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:56:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/petersburg-dialogue-forces-russia-and-germany-to-overcome-tensions-a-867217.html Relations between Moscow and Berlin are particularly chilly ahead of the Petersburg Dialogue, a biannual meeting of politicians, businessmen, and civil-society representatives from Russia and Germany. Both sides will have no choice but to talk, listen and swallow some uncomfortable truths. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-commissioner-for-german-russian-coordination-schockenhoff-a-864566.html#ref=rss Andreas Schockenhoff, Germany's commissioner for German-Russian coordination, has sparked tensions with Moscow with his unfiltered directness. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses worrying trends in Russia, why he has an obligation to speak out and what still gives him hope. Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:02:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-commissioner-for-german-russian-coordination-schockenhoff-a-864566.html Andreas Schockenhoff, Germany's commissioner for German-Russian coordination, has sparked tensions with Moscow with his unfiltered directness. In a SPIEGEL interview, he discusses worrying trends in Russia, why he has an obligation to speak out and what still gives him hope. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-conservatives-target-gays-and-lesbians-a-862745.html#ref=rss Obscure conservative groups in Russia have intensified their fight against homosexuality, recently going after the pop-singer Madonna as well as an allegedly offensive milk carton label. The developments underscore a growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country.   Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-conservatives-target-gays-and-lesbians-a-862745.html Obscure conservative groups in Russia have intensified their fight against homosexuality, recently going after the pop-singer Madonna as well as an allegedly offensive milk carton label. The developments underscore a growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country.  ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-samutsevich-released-member-of-pussy-riot-a-861329.html#ref=rss A Moscow appeals court unexpectedly released Pussy Riot member Yekaterina Samutsevich from prison last week. After she was freed, SPIEGEL spoke to her about the conditions of her imprisonment, President Vladimir Putin's influence over the judiciary and what comes next for the protest punk band. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-samutsevich-released-member-of-pussy-riot-a-861329.html A Moscow appeals court unexpectedly released Pussy Riot member Yekaterina Samutsevich from prison last week. After she was freed, SPIEGEL spoke to her about the conditions of her imprisonment, President Vladimir Putin's influence over the judiciary and what comes next for the protest punk band.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/conviction-of-two-pussy-riot-members-upheld-while-a-third-is-freed-a-860553.html#ref=rss An appeals court on Wednesday upheld the two-year prison sentence for two members of the punk band Pussy Riot, convicted for an anti-Putin protest inside a Moscow cathedral. A third band member was freed because church guards had prevented her from taking part in the protest. Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:29:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/conviction-of-two-pussy-riot-members-upheld-while-a-third-is-freed-a-860553.html An appeals court on Wednesday upheld the two-year prison sentence for two members of the punk band Pussy Riot, convicted for an anti-Putin protest inside a Moscow cathedral. A third band member was freed because church guards had prevented her from taking part in the protest.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-pussy-riot-activist-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-a-853546.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Pussy Riot leader Nadezhda Tolokonnikova discusses her feminist punk group's political aims, why she believes there are limits to Vladimir Putin's power and how the "fight for our ideas and values will continue". She says it's "not me, but the authorities who must be afraid." Mon, 03 Sep 2012 17:08:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-pussy-riot-activist-nadezhda-tolokonnikova-a-853546.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Pussy Riot leader Nadezhda Tolokonnikova discusses her feminist punk group's political aims, why she believes there are limits to Vladimir Putin's power and how the "fight for our ideas and values will continue". She says it's "not me, but the authorities who must be afraid."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-russian-activist-alexei-navalny-a-850914.html#ref=rss The prominent blogger and lawyer Alexi Navalny is one of the leaders of Russia's opposition. In a SPIEGEL interview, Navalny talks about the verdict in the Pussy Riot case, the role of women in anti-Putin protests and why he is not afraid of going to jail. Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-russian-activist-alexei-navalny-a-850914.html The prominent blogger and lawyer Alexi Navalny is one of the leaders of Russia's opposition. In a SPIEGEL interview, Navalny talks about the verdict in the Pussy Riot case, the role of women in anti-Putin protests and why he is not afraid of going to jail.]]>