http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:52:25 +0200 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:52:25 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-charms-berlin-on-visit-short-of-substance-a-906796.html#ref=rss Barack Obama's first official trip to Berlin was short on substance but rich in symbolism. For a few hours in the searing summer heat, his relaxed charm and eloquent idealism triggered memories of the heyday of "Yes we can," before drone attacks, Prism and realpolitik. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:22:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-charms-berlin-on-visit-short-of-substance-a-906796.html Barack Obama's first official trip to Berlin was short on substance but rich in symbolism. For a few hours in the searing summer heat, his relaxed charm and eloquent idealism triggered memories of the heyday of "Yes we can," before drone attacks, Prism and realpolitik. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/moscow-fears-obama-disarmament-push-threatens-influence-a-906793.html#ref=rss A world without nuclear weapons? It's a nearly inconceivable scenario for the Kremlin, even if its arsenal costs Russia billions each year. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, the country has suffered a major drop in influence. Now it's doing all it can to cling to the geopolitical power it has left. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:54:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/moscow-fears-obama-disarmament-push-threatens-influence-a-906793.html A world without nuclear weapons? It's a nearly inconceivable scenario for the Kremlin, even if its arsenal costs Russia billions each year. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, the country has suffered a major drop in influence. Now it's doing all it can to cling to the geopolitical power it has left.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/editorial-on-the-speech-given-by-us-president-obama-in-berlin-a-906771.html#ref=rss Barack Obama unleashed a full charm offensive in Berlin on Wednesday and he did a great job. It's high time for people to appreciate this US president a bit more again. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/editorial-on-the-speech-given-by-us-president-obama-in-berlin-a-906771.html Barack Obama unleashed a full charm offensive in Berlin on Wednesday and he did a great job. It's high time for people to appreciate this US president a bit more again.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/barack-obama-calls-for-cuts-in-us-russian-nuclear-weapons-a-906717.html#ref=rss US President Barack Obama on Wednesday said he would seek negotiations with Russia to reduce the number of strategic nuclear weapons they hold by up to a third. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:46:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/barack-obama-calls-for-cuts-in-us-russian-nuclear-weapons-a-906717.html US President Barack Obama on Wednesday said he would seek negotiations with Russia to reduce the number of strategic nuclear weapons they hold by up to a third. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/barack-obama-rebuffs-criticism-of-us-intelligence-practices-a-906659.html#ref=rss President Barack Obama on Wednesday gently rebuffed Chancellor Angela Merkel's criticism of US Internet surveillance and gave a light-hearted explanation of why he hasn't kept all his promises: "People don't always do exactly what you want -- it's shocking." Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:05:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/barack-obama-rebuffs-criticism-of-us-intelligence-practices-a-906659.html President Barack Obama on Wednesday gently rebuffed Chancellor Angela Merkel's criticism of US Internet surveillance and gave a light-hearted explanation of why he hasn't kept all his promises: "People don't always do exactly what you want -- it's shocking."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/us-president-obama-to-address-nuclear-disarmament-in-berlin-speech-a-906581.html#ref=rss Speculation has been rife in Berlin regarding the possible contents of US President Barack Obama's speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Wednesday. Media reports indicate he will be making a renewed push for nuclear disarmament. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/us-president-obama-to-address-nuclear-disarmament-in-berlin-speech-a-906581.html Speculation has been rife in Berlin regarding the possible contents of US President Barack Obama's speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Wednesday. Media reports indicate he will be making a renewed push for nuclear disarmament.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/taksim-square-protests-are-a-mirror-of-turkish-society-a-906312.html#ref=rss The Taksim Square protests have been hailed as a reflection of modern Turkey. United by a common goal, a motley collection of demonstrators has united to vent their fury with Prime Minister Erdogan. They are confident their sit-in served an important purpose. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/taksim-square-protests-are-a-mirror-of-turkish-society-a-906312.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/protests-in-turkey-threaten-erdogans-political-future-a-906222.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/protests-in-turkey-threaten-erdogans-political-future-a-906222.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/europe-must-stand-up-to-american-cyber-snooping-a-906250.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:09:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/europe-must-stand-up-to-american-cyber-snooping-a-906250.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-saudi-prince-turki-bin-faisal-on-syria-and-hezbollah-a-906197.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-saudi-prince-turki-bin-faisal-on-syria-and-hezbollah-a-906197.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-reaction-to-election-of-rohani-as-iranian-president-a-906152.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-reaction-to-election-of-rohani-as-iranian-president-a-906152.html 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. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/turkey-protests-erdogan-agitates-conflict-in-istanbul-a-906118.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:55:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/turkey-protests-erdogan-agitates-conflict-in-istanbul-a-906118.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-west-considers-weapons-deliveries-to-a-chaotic-syria-a-906144.html#ref=rss 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? Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:54:40 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-west-considers-weapons-deliveries-to-a-chaotic-syria-a-906144.html 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?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranian-presidential-election-jalili-could-heighten-nuclear-conflict-a-905734.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:38:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iranian-presidential-election-jalili-could-heighten-nuclear-conflict-a-905734.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/syrian-refugees-process-war-through-art-in-lebanon-a-905490.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:17:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/syrian-refugees-process-war-through-art-in-lebanon-a-905490.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eu-weakened-data-protection-laws-ahead-of-prism-spy-program-a-905520.html#ref=rss 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. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:07:31 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/eu-weakened-data-protection-laws-ahead-of-prism-spy-program-a-905520.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-police-crackdown-on-turkish-protesters-a-905309.html#ref=rss With his efforts to quash the protest movement on Taksim Square in Istanbul on Tuesday, German editorialists fear Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has become an "autocrat." Some argue he is threatening his country's very future. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-press-review-police-crackdown-on-turkish-protesters-a-905309.html With his efforts to quash the protest movement on Taksim Square in Istanbul on Tuesday, German editorialists fear Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has become an "autocrat." Some argue he is threatening his country's very future. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/media-repression-in-turkey-intimidates-and-imprisons-journalists-a-905164.html#ref=rss There are more journalists in prison in Turkey than in any other country. Prime Minister Erdogan tolerates no criticism, and aggressive prosecution of journalists on often questionable charges has fostered an atmosphere of anxiety and self-censorship. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/media-repression-in-turkey-intimidates-and-imprisons-journalists-a-905164.html There are more journalists in prison in Turkey than in any other country. Prime Minister Erdogan tolerates no criticism, and aggressive prosecution of journalists on often questionable charges has fostered an atmosphere of anxiety and self-censorship.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gezi-park-demonstrators-in-istanbul-refuse-to-leave-a-905257.html#ref=rss It was a violent night in Istanbul, with Molotov cocktails flying through the air, water cannons drenching protesters and plenty of tear gas. But demonstrators in Gezi Park are refusing to leave. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gezi-park-demonstrators-in-istanbul-refuse-to-leave-a-905257.html It was a violent night in Istanbul, with Molotov cocktails flying through the air, water cannons drenching protesters and plenty of tear gas. But demonstrators in Gezi Park are refusing to leave.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-visit-to-berlin-comes-as-trans-atlantic-ties-are-changing-a-904791.html#ref=rss Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Berlin has many fondly reminiscing of John F. Kennedy's momentous trip there 50 years ago. Though Germans still revere both presidents, the trans-Atlantic relationship has changed considerably since then. To Europe's detriment. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:11:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/obama-visit-to-berlin-comes-as-trans-atlantic-ties-are-changing-a-904791.html Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Berlin has many fondly reminiscing of John F. Kennedy's momentous trip there 50 years ago. Though Germans still revere both presidents, the trans-Atlantic relationship has changed considerably since then. To Europe's detriment.]]>