Prime Minister Erdogan used police violence to fight the youth protests, then he softened his tone before cracking down once more. But does he truly comprehend what is currently happening in his country? His own future hangs in the balance. By Daniel Steinvorth more... [ Comment ]
Is Barack Obama a friend? Revelations about his government's vast spying program call that assumption into doubt. The European Union must protect the Continent from America's reach for omnipotence. A Commentary by Jakob Augstein more... [ Comment ]
Saudi Arabia has long urged the West to arm the Syrian rebels as they battle forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. In an interview with SPIEGEL, he explains why. He also says Europe should change its strategy in nuclear negotiations with Iran. more... [ Comment ]
The election of moderate cleric Hassan Rohani as Iran's new president has the potential to end the stalemate in the nation's nuclear dispute with the West, say German commentators. The West should seize the opportunity. more... [ Comment ]
He cleared out Gezi Park with brutal violence, disparaged the protesters as terrorists and railed against the foreign media. After a brief conciliatory respite, Prime Minster Erdogan is inflaming the conflict in Turkey once more. But the protest movement shows no signs of backing down. By Maximilian Popp and Mirjam Schmitt more... [ Comment ]
The US may soon begin delivering weapons to the rebels in Syria. But the situation in the war-torn country is massively complicated with extremists seeking to take advantage of the situation on both sides. Could Western arms prolong the suffering? By Susanne Koelbl, Kurt Pelda and Christoph Reuter more... [ Comment ]
Fifty million Iranians are voting on Friday for a new president. Of the six conservative candidates, Saeed Jalili is the most hardline. If he wins, the Islamic Republic could become even more authoritarian -- and the West should expect tougher confrontations. By Raniah Salloum more... [ Comment ]
A centuries-old stable just outside Beirut has become a refuge for young Syrian artists fleeing violence back home. It offers an insight into how Syria's creative class has become alienated from an uprising that many once supported. By Cathrin Schaer in Aley, Lebanon more... [ Comment ]
Top European officials are demanding more information about the controversial US Internet surveillance program known as Prism. But new information has revealed that the EU weakened privacy regulations in early 2012 following intense US lobbying. more... [ Comment ]