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 00:32:09 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:32:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-a-899315.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi discusses the civil war in Syria, his government's "condemnation" of chemical weapons and his belief that Tehran is in a strong position to initiate negotiations for a settlement between the opposition and government in Damascus. Mon, 13 May 2013 13:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-a-899315.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi discusses the civil war in Syria, his government's "condemnation" of chemical weapons and his belief that Tehran is in a strong position to initiate negotiations for a settlement between the opposition and government in Damascus.]]> 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/foreign-policy-expert-vali-nasr-criticizes-us-retreat-from-middle-east-a-889552.html#ref=rss As the US deals with its economic troubles and pays increasing attention to Asia, its influence in the Middle East is declining. In a SPIEGEL interview, Vali Nasr, dean of the School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, says President Obama cannot neglect his country's vital role in the region. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/foreign-policy-expert-vali-nasr-criticizes-us-retreat-from-middle-east-a-889552.html As the US deals with its economic troubles and pays increasing attention to Asia, its influence in the Middle East is declining. In a SPIEGEL interview, Vali Nasr, dean of the School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, says President Obama cannot neglect his country's vital role in the region.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sam-nunn-discusses-the-nuclear-threat-in-north-korea-and-iran-a-883087.html#ref=rss North Korea has become a nuclear power, Iran is close and Pakistan and India already have the bomb. Is it just a question of time before they get used? In an interview, disarmament advocate Sam Nunn explains how the worst can still be prevented. Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:32:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sam-nunn-discusses-the-nuclear-threat-in-north-korea-and-iran-a-883087.html North Korea has become a nuclear power, Iran is close and Pakistan and India already have the bomb. Is it just a question of time before they get used? In an interview, disarmament advocate Sam Nunn explains how the worst can still be prevented. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/israeli-attacks-put-new-balance-of-power-in-mideast-to-test-a-868041.html#ref=rss The bitter battle in Gaza highlights the fact that Islamist extremists have gained ground in the Palestinian territories with support from Egypt and Iran. The next battleground is likely to be the United Nations, where the Palestinians are seeking observer status. Has Israel miscalculated with its new offensive? Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:47:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/israeli-attacks-put-new-balance-of-power-in-mideast-to-test-a-868041.html The bitter battle in Gaza highlights the fact that Islamist extremists have gained ground in the Palestinian territories with support from Egypt and Iran. The next battleground is likely to be the United Nations, where the Palestinians are seeking observer status. Has Israel miscalculated with its new offensive?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranians-planning-to-create-environmental-catastrophe-in-hormuz-strait-a-861343.html#ref=rss Iran could be planning to create a vast oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a top secret report obtained by Western intelligence officials. The aim of the operation is to both temporarily block the vital shipping channel and to force a suspension of Western sanctions. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:25:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranians-planning-to-create-environmental-catastrophe-in-hormuz-strait-a-861343.html Iran could be planning to create a vast oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a top secret report obtained by Western intelligence officials. The aim of the operation is to both temporarily block the vital shipping channel and to force a suspension of Western sanctions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-and-nuclear-weapons-a-860015.html#ref=rss Last week, the violence in Syria came close to spilling across the country's borders and spiraling into a regional conflict. SPIEGEL spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi about his country's continued support of Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad, NATO's delicate role in the region and Iran's nuclear program. Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:52:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranian-foreign-minister-salehi-on-syria-and-nuclear-weapons-a-860015.html Last week, the violence in Syria came close to spilling across the country's borders and spiraling into a regional conflict. SPIEGEL spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi about his country's continued support of Syrian autocrat Bashar Assad, NATO's delicate role in the region and Iran's nuclear program.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-ronald-lauder-on-the-iran-conflict-a-859215.html#ref=rss Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, speaks to SPIEGEL about the conflict between the West and Iran, Israel's threat of a preemptive strike against Tehran and why he believes unilateral action without Washington's support would be "disastrous". Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:47:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-ronald-lauder-on-the-iran-conflict-a-859215.html Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, speaks to SPIEGEL about the conflict between the West and Iran, Israel's threat of a preemptive strike against Tehran and why he believes unilateral action without Washington's support would be "disastrous". ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sanctions-create-problems-for-iran-air-in-europe-a-858886.html#ref=rss Sanctions against Tehran have made operations of Iran Air far more difficult in Europe, where the company is hardly able to purchase fuel any longer. Officials at the national airline complain of a "human rights violation." Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:32:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/sanctions-create-problems-for-iran-air-in-europe-a-858886.html Sanctions against Tehran have made operations of Iran Air far more difficult in Europe, where the company is hardly able to purchase fuel any longer. Officials at the national airline complain of a "human rights violation."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nuclear-technology-for-iran-german-investigators-uncover-illegal-exports-a-858893.html#ref=rss Recent arrests suggest that Germany remains a hub for sales of prohibited supplies to Iran that are being used in Iran's nuclear program. Illegal exports are undermining Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has pursued an embargo policy in order to prevent a possible war in the Middle East. Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:02:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nuclear-technology-for-iran-german-investigators-uncover-illegal-exports-a-858893.html Recent arrests suggest that Germany remains a hub for sales of prohibited supplies to Iran that are being used in Iran's nuclear program. Illegal exports are undermining Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has pursued an embargo policy in order to prevent a possible war in the Middle East.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/muslimbruder-mursi-legt-eid-vor-anhaengern-auf-tahrir-platz-ab-a-841809.html#ref=rss Ägyptens gewählter Präsident Mursi hat vor Zehntausenden Anhängern auf dem Tahrir-Platz einen Eid auf Gott und Volk abgelegt. Damit fordert er die Generäle heraus, die verlangt hatten, dass der Muslimbruder im Verfassungsgericht vereidigt werden soll. Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/muslimbruder-mursi-legt-eid-vor-anhaengern-auf-tahrir-platz-ab-a-841809.html Ägyptens gewählter Präsident Mursi hat vor Zehntausenden Anhängern auf dem Tahrir-Platz einen Eid auf Gott und Volk abgelegt. Damit fordert er die Generäle heraus, die verlangt hatten, dass der Muslimbruder im Verfassungsgericht vereidigt werden soll.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/ahmed-schafik-verlaesst-aegypten-nach-ermittlungen-gegen-ihn-a-841020.html#ref=rss Anderthalb Tage nach Bekanntgabe des Wahlergebnisses in Ägypten hat der unterlegene Präsidentschaftskandidat Ahmed Schafik das Land verlassen. Er flog in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate. Wenige Stunden zuvor wurden Ermittlungen gegen ihn eingeleitet. Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/ahmed-schafik-verlaesst-aegypten-nach-ermittlungen-gegen-ihn-a-841020.html Anderthalb Tage nach Bekanntgabe des Wahlergebnisses in Ägypten hat der unterlegene Präsidentschaftskandidat Ahmed Schafik das Land verlassen. Er flog in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate. Wenige Stunden zuvor wurden Ermittlungen gegen ihn eingeleitet.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/aegyptens-praesident-mursi-laesst-interview-zu-israel-dementieren-a-840905.html#ref=rss Stellt er den Friedensvertrag mit Israel nun in Frage oder nicht? Ägyptens künftiges Staatsoberhaupt Mohammed Mursi soll sich in einem Interview mit der iranischen Agentur Fars für eine Allianz mit Teheran ausgesprochen haben. Aus dem Präsidentenpalast heißt es nun, das Gespräch habe es nie gegeben. Tue, 26 Jun 2012 07:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/aegyptens-praesident-mursi-laesst-interview-zu-israel-dementieren-a-840905.html Stellt er den Friedensvertrag mit Israel nun in Frage oder nicht? Ägyptens künftiges Staatsoberhaupt Mohammed Mursi soll sich in einem Interview mit der iranischen Agentur Fars für eine Allianz mit Teheran ausgesprochen haben. Aus dem Präsidentenpalast heißt es nun, das Gespräch habe es nie gegeben.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/aegypten-praesident-mursi-will-strategische-allianz-mit-iran-a-840709.html#ref=rss Die Achse Kairo-Teheran soll nach dem Willen des neuen ägyptischen Präsidenten Mursi ausgebaut werden - das sagte der Islamist Irans Staatspresse. In Israel dürfte Mursis Ankündigung Beunruhigung auslösen. Unklar ist aber, wie groß dessen außenpolitische Macht sein wird. Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/aegypten-praesident-mursi-will-strategische-allianz-mit-iran-a-840709.html Die Achse Kairo-Teheran soll nach dem Willen des neuen ägyptischen Präsidenten Mursi ausgebaut werden - das sagte der Islamist Irans Staatspresse. In Israel dürfte Mursis Ankündigung Beunruhigung auslösen. Unklar ist aber, wie groß dessen außenpolitische Macht sein wird. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-calls-for-greater-chinese-and-russian-contribution-to-afghanistan-a-838831.html#ref=rss Many in the West feel that China and Russia should be contributing more to stability in Afghanistan. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle plans to demand more from Beijing and Moscow at a conference starting Thursday in Kabul. But he'll likely get little more than empty promises. Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-calls-for-greater-chinese-and-russian-contribution-to-afghanistan-a-838831.html Many in the West feel that China and Russia should be contributing more to stability in Afghanistan. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle plans to demand more from Beijing and Moscow at a conference starting Thursday in Kabul. But he'll likely get little more than empty promises.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/experts-see-chance-iran-will-distance-itself-from-assad-regime-in-syria-a-838682.html#ref=rss In the past, Iran and Syria have been considered the strongest of international partners. But experts now think it is possible that Tehran will distance itself from its ally, as Western resistance to including Iran in a solution crumbles. Could the country help bring about a solution to the bloody conflict? Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/experts-see-chance-iran-will-distance-itself-from-assad-regime-in-syria-a-838682.html In the past, Iran and Syria have been considered the strongest of international partners. But experts now think it is possible that Tehran will distance itself from its ally, as Western resistance to including Iran in a solution crumbles. Could the country help bring about a solution to the bloody conflict?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-iranian-rapper-najafi-about-the-fatwa-against-him-a-835580.html#ref=rss Iranian rapper Shahin Najafi has been in hiding in Germany since a fatwa was pronounced against him three weeks ago. In an interview with SPIEGEL, he discusses the fear Iranian leaders have of young people and his conviction that change will come to his country sooner or later. Mon, 28 May 2012 15:43:37 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/interview-with-iranian-rapper-najafi-about-the-fatwa-against-him-a-835580.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tehran-protests-eurovision-gay-parade-in-baku-a-834709.html#ref=rss Preparations for the first semi-final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday were overshadowed by a diplomatic row between host country Azerbaijan and its neighbor Iran. The latter recalled its ambassador over accusations that Baku was planning an accompanying "gay parade." Wed, 23 May 2012 15:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/tehran-protests-eurovision-gay-parade-in-baku-a-834709.html Preparations for the first semi-final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday were overshadowed by a diplomatic row between host country Azerbaijan and its neighbor Iran. The latter recalled its ambassador over accusations that Baku was planning an accompanying "gay parade." ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-based-rapper-fears-for-life-after-fatwa-a-833214.html#ref=rss Cologne-based rapper Najafi has drawn the wrath of Shiite Muslims after publishing a song that appeared to make fun of the 10th imam. Following a fatwa by an Iranian ayatollah, he has received death threats, and there is a $100,000 bounty on his head. Now he is under police protection but insists he will keep making music. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Wed, 16 May 2012 12:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-based-rapper-fears-for-life-after-fatwa-a-833214.html By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-of-iran-talks-in-istanbul-a-827776.html#ref=rss Amid ongoing tension about Iran's nuclear program, representatives from Tehran and six global powers held talks in Istanbul on Saturday. Despite cautious optimism from diplomats, German commentators warn on Monday that the specter of war still haunts the region. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:10:05 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-of-iran-talks-in-istanbul-a-827776.html Amid ongoing tension about Iran's nuclear program, representatives from Tehran and six global powers held talks in Istanbul on Saturday. Despite cautious optimism from diplomats, German commentators warn on Monday that the specter of war still haunts the region. ]]>