http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:30:19 +0100 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:30:19 +0100 Afghanistan http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,684541,00.html#ref=rss German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is under pressure following parliamentary testimony relating to the controversial Sept. 4 bombing in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Guttenberg, says a top German general he fired, isn't telling the whole truth. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:46:22 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,684541,00.html German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is under pressure following parliamentary testimony relating to the controversial Sept. 4 bombing in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Guttenberg, says a top German general he fired, isn't telling the whole truth.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,684411,00.html#ref=rss New documents obtained by SPIEGEL ONLINE show that the German Defense Ministry sought to cover up the full extent of the Sept. 4 bombing in Kunduz, Afghanistan, which killed 142 people including civilians. In particular, the ministry wanted to withhold details until after national German elections. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:38:04 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,684411,00.html New documents obtained by SPIEGEL ONLINE show that the German Defense Ministry sought to cover up the full extent of the Sept. 4 bombing in Kunduz, Afghanistan, which killed 142 people including civilians. In particular, the ministry wanted to withhold details until after national German elections.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,682878,00.html#ref=rss For a long time the German army in Afghanistan only used drones to spy on the Taliban. But since German officers experienced their potentially lethal impact in a strike last year, they have been enthusiastic about these silent, airborne weapons. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:55:57 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,682878,00.html For a long time the German army in Afghanistan only used drones to spy on the Taliban. But since German officers experienced their potentially lethal impact in a strike last year, they have been enthusiastic about these silent, airborne weapons.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,683066,00.html#ref=rss Two decades after reunification, the German decision to call in a NATO air strike on fuel trucks in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan is a test of Germany's maturity. But even the handling of this incident has already turned a harsh spotlight on the shortcomings of Berlins security policy. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:44:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,683066,00.html Two decades after reunification, the German decision to call in a NATO air strike on fuel trucks in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan is a test of Germany's maturity. But even the handling of this incident has already turned a harsh spotlight on the shortcomings of Berlins security policy.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,682382,00.html#ref=rss He's a four-star general and he heads up NATO operations in Afghanistan. But despite his expertise, Germany's top soldier Egon Ramms is virtually ignored by Berlin -- except for a meeting with Chancellor Merkel way back in 2007. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:49:09 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,682382,00.html He's a four-star general and he heads up NATO operations in Afghanistan. But despite his expertise, Germany's top soldier Egon Ramms is virtually ignored by Berlin -- except for a meeting with Chancellor Merkel way back in 2007.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,680965,00.html#ref=rss In some parts of Afghanistan, neither the Afghan security forces nor the international ISAF troops have been able to protect ordinary people. Now the Americans are arming local militias so they can take on the Taliban. But some observers worry the move could lead to rivalries between different armed groups. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:32:08 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,680965,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,679490,00.html#ref=rss The Dutch government is the first to collapse in a dispute over NATO's involvement in Afghanistan. German media commentators say other NATO member states could share the same fate if they continue to ignore growing public opposition to the mission. The home front, it seems, is starting to crumble. Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:08:46 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,679490,00.html The Dutch government is the first to collapse in a dispute over NATO's involvement in Afghanistan. German media commentators say other NATO member states could share the same fate if they continue to ignore growing public opposition to the mission. The home front, it seems, is starting to crumble.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,678723,00.html#ref=rss The Pakistani intelligence service looks to have arrested yet another top Taliban leader in Pakistan. Mullah Abdul Salam, who is considered Germany's most dangerous enemy in northern Afghanistan, was captured while visiting a religious school near Peshawar. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:16:23 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,678723,00.html The Pakistani intelligence service looks to have arrested yet another top Taliban leader in Pakistan. Mullah Abdul Salam, who is considered Germany's most dangerous enemy in northern Afghanistan, was captured while visiting a religious school near Peshawar.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,677289,00.html#ref=rss German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has told parliament that the mission in Afghanistan is an "armed conflict." Commentators on Thursday welcome the clear words and many argue that responsiblity for the deployment is now back where it belongs: with the politicians. Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:20:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,677289,00.html German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has told parliament that the mission in Afghanistan is an "armed conflict." Commentators on Thursday welcome the clear words and many argue that responsiblity for the deployment is now back where it belongs: with the politicians.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,677109,00.html#ref=rss German officer Georg Klein, who ordered an air strike in Afghanistan that killed 142 people, testified before a parliamentary committee in Berlin on Wednesday. He described the attack as "appropriate" but said he regretted the civilian deaths. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:24:03 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,677109,00.html German officer Georg Klein, who ordered an air strike in Afghanistan that killed 142 people, testified before a parliamentary committee in Berlin on Wednesday. He described the attack as "appropriate" but said he regretted the civilian deaths.]]>