http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 22 May 2013 04:55:10 +0200 Wed, 22 May 2013 04:55:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-red-line-that-could-pull-obama-into-the-syrian-civil-war-essay-a-899332.html#ref=rss President Obama, usually cautious, has made bold statements on Syria and Iran, but by drawing red lines, he risks being backed into a corner. He could take a lesson from Teddy Roosevelt when it comes to foreign policy. Thu, 16 May 2013 15:24:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-red-line-that-could-pull-obama-into-the-syrian-civil-war-essay-a-899332.html President Obama, usually cautious, has made bold statements on Syria and Iran, but by drawing red lines, he risks being backed into a corner. He could take a lesson from Teddy Roosevelt when it comes to foreign policy.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/un-anti-racism-committee-reprimands-germany-over-sarrazin-comments-a-895247.html#ref=rss When former Berlin politician Thilo Sarrazin made critical remarks about Muslim immigrants four years ago, many found them offensive, though prosecutors rejected complaints, citing free speech laws. A UN committee disagrees, however, and has accused Germany of violating an anti-racism convention. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:38:56 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/un-anti-racism-committee-reprimands-germany-over-sarrazin-comments-a-895247.html When former Berlin politician Thilo Sarrazin made critical remarks about Muslim immigrants four years ago, many found them offensive, though prosecutors rejected complaints, citing free speech laws. A UN committee disagrees, however, and has accused Germany of violating an anti-racism convention.]]> 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/politik/ausland/frauenrechte-vereinte-nationen-verabschieden-frauenrechts-papier-a-889241.html#ref=rss Es war eine Einigung in letzter Minute: Die Vereinten Nationen haben eine Erklärung verabschiedet, die Mädchen und Frauen weltweit schützen soll. Demnach haben Frauen und Männer die gleichen Rechte. Die muslimischen Staaten hatten das Papier bis zuletzt stark kritisiert. Sat, 16 Mar 2013 11:03:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/frauenrechte-vereinte-nationen-verabschieden-frauenrechts-papier-a-889241.html Es war eine Einigung in letzter Minute: Die Vereinten Nationen haben eine Erklärung verabschiedet, die Mädchen und Frauen weltweit schützen soll. Demnach haben Frauen und Männer die gleichen Rechte. Die muslimischen Staaten hatten das Papier bis zuletzt stark kritisiert.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/north-korea-responds-to-new-un-sanctions-with-nuclear-threats-a-887753.html#ref=rss North Korea has responded to fresh UN sanctions by threatening to attack the US and escalate tensions with the South. But experts believe that the aggressive rhetoric has also been sparked by changing regional dynamics and hopes of rallying the people around their new leader. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:18:31 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/north-korea-responds-to-new-un-sanctions-with-nuclear-threats-a-887753.html North Korea has responded to fresh UN sanctions by threatening to attack the US and escalate tensions with the South. But experts believe that the aggressive rhetoric has also been sparked by changing regional dynamics and hopes of rallying the people around their new leader.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/number-of-syrian-refugees-swells-to-one-million-a-887188.html#ref=rss The Syrian refugee situation threatens to spiral into "full-scale disaster," with their numbers reaching 1 million, the United Nations said Wednesday. More people are fleeing the civil war than had been anticipated. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:30:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/number-of-syrian-refugees-swells-to-one-million-a-887188.html The Syrian refugee situation threatens to spiral into "full-scale disaster," with their numbers reaching 1 million, the United Nations said Wednesday. More people are fleeing the civil war than had been anticipated.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/palestinians-granted-non-member-observer-status-at-united-nations-a-870150.html#ref=rss Both Israel and the US were adamantly opposed, but the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday granted the Palestinians non-member observer status, essentially an official recognition of a Palestinian state. The European Union was unable to find a common line, and Germany abstained as expected. Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:00:08 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/palestinians-granted-non-member-observer-status-at-united-nations-a-870150.html Both Israel and the US were adamantly opposed, but the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday granted the Palestinians non-member observer status, essentially an official recognition of a Palestinian state. The European Union was unable to find a common line, and Germany abstained as expected.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/berlin-to-abstain-on-vote-to-recognize-palestinian-state-a-870002.html#ref=rss Ahead of the United Nations vote that is set to recognize a Palestinian state, Germany has announced it will abstain. The move reveals Berlin's complicated foreign policy loyalties on the issue -- and once again reveals Europe's inability to reach consensus on a key foreign policy issue. Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:54:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/berlin-to-abstain-on-vote-to-recognize-palestinian-state-a-870002.html Ahead of the United Nations vote that is set to recognize a Palestinian state, Germany has announced it will abstain. The move reveals Berlin's complicated foreign policy loyalties on the issue -- and once again reveals Europe's inability to reach consensus on a key foreign policy issue.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-urges-calm-following-syrian-shelling-of-turkish-town-a-859554.html#ref=rss Ankara was quick to respond to Syria's Wednesday shelling of a Turkish border town. But NATO is worried that the escalation could make Western involvement in the Syrian conflict inevitable. Capitals across the alliance are urging calm. Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:23:32 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/nato-urges-calm-following-syrian-shelling-of-turkish-town-a-859554.html Ankara was quick to respond to Syria's Wednesday shelling of a Turkish border town. But NATO is worried that the escalation could make Western involvement in the Syrian conflict inevitable. Capitals across the alliance are urging calm.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/widespread-criticism-of-rio-environment-summit-a-840181.html#ref=rss Twenty years ago, the United Nations summit held in Rio de Janeiro paved the way for landmark agreements on the climate and the environment. This year's meeting, on the other hand, has been widely criticized for its lack of vision in the face of accelerating degradation of the planet. German commentators are critical as well. Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/widespread-criticism-of-rio-environment-summit-a-840181.html Twenty years ago, the United Nations summit held in Rio de Janeiro paved the way for landmark agreements on the climate and the environment. This year's meeting, on the other hand, has been widely criticized for its lack of vision in the face of accelerating degradation of the planet. German commentators are critical as well.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/un-blauhelme-sieben-soldaten-in-elfenbeinkueste-getoetet-a-837875.html#ref=rss Westafrika ist eine der unruhigsten Regionen der Erde, kaum ein Land kommt ohne Uno-Mission aus. Nach dem Ende des gewaltsamen Machtkampfs um die Führung der Elfenbeinküste sollte das Land seit Mitte 2011 auf dem Weg zur Stabilität sein. Doch jetzt wurden sieben Blauhelm-Soldaten getötet. Sat, 09 Jun 2012 10:48:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/un-blauhelme-sieben-soldaten-in-elfenbeinkueste-getoetet-a-837875.html Westafrika ist eine der unruhigsten Regionen der Erde, kaum ein Land kommt ohne Uno-Mission aus. Nach dem Ende des gewaltsamen Machtkampfs um die Führung der Elfenbeinküste sollte das Land seit Mitte 2011 auf dem Weg zur Stabilität sein. Doch jetzt wurden sieben Blauhelm-Soldaten getötet.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/commentary-on-failure-of-international-community-to-stop-the-killing-in-syria-a-836881.html#ref=rss There is no end in sight to the murdering in Syria and the world can do nothing but watch. The US has lost the authority to restore peace after the turmoil of Iraq. Russia alone has the power to topple the regime and avert a civil war, but is refusing to do so because it wants to protect its interests in the region. The West must persuade Vladimir Putin to change his mind. Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/commentary-on-failure-of-international-community-to-stop-the-killing-in-syria-a-836881.html There is no end in sight to the murdering in Syria and the world can do nothing but watch. The US has lost the authority to restore peace after the turmoil of Iraq. Russia alone has the power to topple the regime and avert a civil war, but is refusing to do so because it wants to protect its interests in the region. The West must persuade Vladimir Putin to change his mind. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-prospects-for-a-political-solution-in-syria-a-835977.html#ref=rss Despite the expulsion of Syrian envoys from several Western countries on Tuesday and Wednesday, a military intervention in the country remains unlikely. Both Russia and China are strictly opposed and the US is skeptical as well. German commentators explore the alternatives. Wed, 30 May 2012 15:13:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-prospects-for-a-political-solution-in-syria-a-835977.html Despite the expulsion of Syrian envoys from several Western countries on Tuesday and Wednesday, a military intervention in the country remains unlikely. Both Russia and China are strictly opposed and the US is skeptical as well. German commentators explore the alternatives.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/media-commentators-say-its-time-for-un-action-on-syria-a-835724.html#ref=rss The United Nations on Tuesday revealed that the majority of those massacred on Friday in the Syrian town of Houla were executed by regime-allied forces, whereupon France and Germany expelled the Syrian ambassadors from their capitals. German commentators say that it is time for the international community to take action. Tue, 29 May 2012 14:14:23 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/media-commentators-say-its-time-for-un-action-on-syria-a-835724.html The United Nations on Tuesday revealed that the majority of those massacred on Friday in the Syrian town of Houla were executed by regime-allied forces, whereupon France and Germany expelled the Syrian ambassadors from their capitals. German commentators say that it is time for the international community to take action.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/massacre-in-syrian-town-houla-marks-a-new-level-of-violence-a-835548.html#ref=rss With at least 109 dead, including dozens of children, the weekend massacre in the Syrian village of Houla could go down in history alongside such brutal post-World War II massacres as My Lai and Srebrenica. In Syria, it will likely trigger a new wave of violence and reprisals. Mon, 28 May 2012 12:03:17 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/massacre-in-syrian-town-houla-marks-a-new-level-of-violence-a-835548.html With at least 109 dead, including dozens of children, the weekend massacre in the Syrian village of Houla could go down in history alongside such brutal post-World War II massacres as My Lai and Srebrenica. In Syria, it will likely trigger a new wave of violence and reprisals.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/un-s-international-labor-organization-criticizes-eu-austerity-measures-a-830589.html#ref=rss A new report by the International Labor Organization has strongly criticized euro-crisis austerity measures. They have had "devastating consequences" for the job market, which could be entering a "new and more problematic phase" worldwide, the report warns. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:50:12 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/un-s-international-labor-organization-criticizes-eu-austerity-measures-a-830589.html A new report by the International Labor Organization has strongly criticized euro-crisis austerity measures. They have had "devastating consequences" for the job market, which could be entering a "new and more problematic phase" worldwide, the report warns. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-ship-carrying-iranian-weapons-stopped-near-syria-a-827553.html#ref=rss An attempt to defy the weapons embargo on the Syrian regime has been thwarted in the Mediterranean Sea, SPIEGEL has learned. On Friday, a German-owned ship carrying military equipment and munitions from Iran was stopped from docking in a Syrian port. Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-ship-carrying-iranian-weapons-stopped-near-syria-a-827553.html An attempt to defy the weapons embargo on the Syrian regime has been thwarted in the Mediterranean Sea, SPIEGEL has learned. On Friday, a German-owned ship carrying military equipment and munitions from Iran was stopped from docking in a Syrian port. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/world-powers-to-pursue-selfish-interests-at-iran-nuclear-talks-in-istanbul-a-827385.html#ref=rss Is a new war on the horizon in the Middle East? This weekend the international community will undertake diplomatic efforts to convince Iran to back down in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. A speedy agreement remains unlikely because the biggest world powers are focused on one thing -- their own interests. <i>By SPIEGEL ONLINE Staff.</i> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/world-powers-to-pursue-selfish-interests-at-iran-nuclear-talks-in-istanbul-a-827385.html Is a new war on the horizon in the Middle East? This weekend the international community will undertake diplomatic efforts to convince Iran to back down in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. A speedy agreement remains unlikely because the biggest world powers are focused on one thing -- their own interests. By SPIEGEL ONLINE Staff. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/kremlin-s-tough-top-diplomat-russian-foreign-minister-is-nobody-s-fool-a-813780.html#ref=rss Sergey Lavrov has reaped massive criticism for Moscow's veto of the UN Security Council resolution on Syria, but the Russian foreign minister remains unmoved. The top diplomat, who met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Tuesday, has a track record of standing up to the West. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:34:02 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/kremlin-s-tough-top-diplomat-russian-foreign-minister-is-nobody-s-fool-a-813780.html Sergey Lavrov has reaped massive criticism for Moscow's veto of the UN Security Council resolution on Syria, but the Russian foreign minister remains unmoved. The top diplomat, who met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Tuesday, has a track record of standing up to the West.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/the-world-from-berlin-moscow-and-beijing-abased-syrians-snubbed-west-a-813573.html#ref=rss The Syrian army pounded rebel stronghold Homs again on Monday, raising a death toll that had already reached the hundreds in recent days. German editorialists are slamming moves by Russia and China over the weekend to to veto a resolution condemning the violence currently being perpetrated by Bashar Assad's regime. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:38:43 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/the-world-from-berlin-moscow-and-beijing-abased-syrians-snubbed-west-a-813573.html