May 18, 2012, 06:00 PM
With the German army pulling out of Afghanistan in 2014, hundreds of Afghan workers fear they will become victims of revenge by the Taliban, who have already condemned them as traitors. German authorities are already preparing for a wave of visa applications. By Matthias Gebauer and Shoib Najafizada in Berlin and Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan more... [ Forum ]
May 18, 2012, 03:12 PM
Germany may be Europe's driving force in the euro crisis, but a prominent US think tank has accused the country of shirking its defense duties. In a report released ahead of the NATO summit in Chicago, a group of experts criticizes Germany for threatening the future of the whole alliance through its weakness. By Gregor Peter Schmitz in Washington more...
May 17, 2012, 04:12 PM
Ahead of the NATO summit in Chicago, Germany's standing in the alliance has reached a low point. The country's abstention in the UN vote on military action in Libya has done lasting damage to its reputation. The Germans are now seen as unreliable partners who don't know what they want. By Ulrike Demmer and Christoph Schult more... [ Forum ]
May 16, 2012, 05:58 PM
The cost of modernizing US nuclear weapons, including those stationed in Germany, has risen sharply, according to estimates. Several independent experts told SPIEGEL ONLINE that the bill for renewing the B61 atomic bomb will rise to $6 billion. The project will also upset Russia, they say. By Markus Becker more...
May 16, 2012, 12:33 PM
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. By SPIEGEL Staff
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May 16, 2012, 09:49 AM
When President Viktor Yanukovych assumed Ukraine's top office, he pledged to battle corruption. Now Ukrainians suspect he is abusing his position to profit himself, family and friends. They operate a network of successful firms, while the purchase of his luxury residence has been skillfully obfuscated. By Benjamin Bidder in Kiev more...
May 15, 2012, 12:24 PM
While a savage civil war rages in Syria, nothing has been heard from Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of President Bashar Assad. In a guest contribution, the wives of two United Nations ambassadors call on Asma to finally take a stand against the violence, arguing: "It is not too late for action." By Sheila Lyall Grant and Huberta von Voss-Wittig in New York more...
May 14, 2012, 05:55 PM
A foolhardy maneuver by the pilot may have led to the crash of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 in Indonesia last week. Hopes were high that the new passenger jet could revive Russia's aviation industry and the pilot wanted to do all he could to ensure success. By Matthias Schepp and Gerald Traufetter more... [ Forum ]
May 11, 2012, 05:54 PM
The environmental movement is losing momentum and governments around the world are ignoring their responsibility for slowing climate change. Greenpeace head Kumi Naidoo, however, remains optimistic. In an interview, he explains his new vision for a sustainable world -- and how the pope can help. more... [ Forum ]
May 11, 2012, 12:19 PM
The military coup and ensuing fighting in Mali has resulted in the deterioration of an already bad situation in Africa's Sahel region. Islamist extremists have gained the upper hand in northern Mali and now control Timbuktu. Al-Qaida and other militant groups now have free reign across vast swaths of Africa. By Horand Knaup more... [ Forum ]
