Taking Stock A Look at the Worst Mistakes Germany Made in the Coronavirus Pandemic From the tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths, to neglected children and a helpless vaccination campaign, German politicians deserve poor marks in many aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. Experts look back at the worst mistakes made and offer advice for the autumn. By Rafaela von Bredow und Veronika Hackenbroch 18 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Crisis Researcher Graham Allison on the Ukraine War "Dealing with Horrible Leaders Is Part of the History of International Relations" Harvard University political scientist Graham Allison argues that Vladimir Putin has no inhibitions and could even resort to the use of a tactical nuclear weapon. He believes we will ultimately have to negotiate with the Russian president in the end, just as we did with Stalin and Mao. Interview Conducted By Bernhard Zand in New York 10 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Scandal at Germany's Leading Jewish College A "Toxic Environment" and Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Accusations of sexual harassment have rocked Germany's leading rabbinical training center. The allegations have shined the spotlight on one of the country's most influential Jewish officials. By Juliane Löffler 10 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Bogus Deals Involving Russian Property Did a Berlin Dentist Swindle Moscow Out of Millions? A dentist and his Ukrainian mistress allegedly used forged Kremlin powers of attorney to sell Russian government-owned properties worth millions. Investigators, intelligence services and diplomats are now puzzling over the bizarre case. 14 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Escaping the Taliban The Last Way Out of Afghanistan Every day, thousands of people are fleeing the Taliban through the last open route out of Afghanistan. It's their last hope to escape poverty and desperation – but not everyone makes it. By Christoph Reuter and Julian Busch (Photos) in Zaranj, Afghanistan 13 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
United Against Russia? Ukraine's Membership Application Poses Tough Questions for the EU European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is pushing for rapid EU accession talks with Kyiv. The Eastern Europeans are applauding the move, but Berlin and Paris are applying the brakes. The issue poses a threat to Europe's united stance against Russia. 8 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Staryna's Mission The Elite Ukrainian Soldiers Defending the Donbas In the battle for the Donbas, Russian troops are facing off against some of the most experienced soldiers in the Ukrainian armed forces. A visit with Captain Oleksandr Staryna, who says the Russians have recently lost momentum. By Alexander Sarovic and Emre Caylak (Photos) in Marinka, eastern Ukraine 11 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Africa's Gateway To Europe The Case of a Missing Ton of Cocaine Highlights the Dangers of the Drug Trade Absurd wealth, devastating poverty, drugs and corruption: The story of a ton of cocaine that went missing in Guinea-Bissau highlights the deep roots of the drug trade in the country. By Heiner Hoffmann in Bissau 11 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Humanitarian Catastrophe in Somalia With the World's Attention on Ukraine, Suffering Is Rising Elsewhere Ukraine isn't the only place where children are dying because of the Russian invasion. With all attention on the war there, aid money is drying up in other regions – including in Somalia, which is experiencing a devastating drought. By Heiner Hoffmann in Somalia 8 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Surrogate Motherhood in Ukraine "Keep Calm. The Life of Your Child Depends On It" Before the war, Ukraine was the global leader in surrogacy. Now, one of the country's largest clinics is desperately trying to protect its babies from the violence until their parents can come and pick them up. By Nicola Abé 6 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Frequently Asked Questions Everything You Need to Know about DER SPIEGEL 3 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Safer Practices for Sources How To Contact DER SPIEGEL with Confidential Information Protecting sources is DER SPIEGEL's utmost priority. We have assembled a few tips for those interested in contacting us with confidential or classified information. 2 Min Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Racing Toward NATO Finland Could Join Military Alliance Imminently Finland has been neutral for almost 80 years, but now it wants to join NATO and could apply later this week. The Ukraine war has destroyed any last trust in Russia and the mood in Helsinki and the rest of the country has shifted rapidly. By Jan Petter in Helsinki and Imatra Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Fabrice Leggeri's Resignation Inside the Final Days of the Frontex Chief Radical views, internal resistance, merciless investigators: Why Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri had to go – and what his resignation means for the future of the EU border agency. By Giorgos Christides und Steffen Lüdke Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Vladimir Potemkin Putin's Disaster and What Could Happen Next The world has overestimated Putin's power. His army is much weaker than thought, his intelligence services have failed and sanctions are starting have an impact. Will all this weaken the Russian president or make him more dangerous? By Christian Esch, Susanne Koelbl und Fritz Schaap Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Inteview with German Foreign Minister Baerbock "There Are Moments When I Am Also Unsure" German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Green Party had been hoping to pursue a feminist foreign policy. Now, she has become a proponent of weapons deliveries to Ukraine. In an interview, she explains how those two things are not mutually exclusive. Interview Conducted By Melanie Amann, Christoph Schult und Severin Weiland Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
From Peaceniks To Hawks? Germany's Greens Have Transformed in the Face of Russia's War The Greens have long been regarded as peace-loving idealists. They are now among the loudest voices calling for heavy weapons to be delivered to Ukraine and have placed considerable pressure on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to do so. The pacifists of yore have gone quiet and now the talk is of tanks and howitzers. Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
"I Still Can’t Believe We’re Doing This" Completing an Adoption Out of Wartime Ukraine The drama surrounding the adoption of the stateless Ukrainian orphan Bridget has come to an end. The six-year-old from Zaporizhzhia has now been able to leave the country after her American adoptive parents braved the war to come get her. By Timofey Neshitov in Warsaw Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Putin's Brothers Tensions Mount in the Balkans as Bosnia and Herzegovina Threatens to Fracture With the world focusing on Ukraine, the Kremlin is continuing its efforts to destabilize the Balkans – with the eager assistance of Serbs in the region. The country of Bosnia and Herzegovina is at particular risk. By Walter Mayr Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Academic FAQ for Ukrainian Refugees What You Need To Know To Study at a German University Navigating proof of language skills, student loans and the Bologna Process: We've gathered some helpful tips for young refugees from Ukraine who want to study at German universities. By Tanya Falenczyk Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Indian Author Pankaj Mishra on the War in Ukraine "Have You Really Thought This Through?" Pankaj Mishra is one of the most important voices in the Global South. In an interview, he discusses why he thinks Western sanctions against Russia overshoot the mark and how the developing world views the conflict. Interview Conducted by Bernhard Zand Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Bonn-Moscow Ties Newly Released Documents Shed Fresh Light on NATO's Eastward Expansion In 1991, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl wanted to prevent the eastward expansion of NATO and Ukrainian independence, according to newly released files from the archive of the German Foreign Ministry. Was he trying to assuage Moscow? By Klaus Wiegrefe Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
The Orbán Problem Europe Takes On an Unpredicatable Autocrat Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is considered Vladimir Putin's last friend among European leaders. He has completely isolated himself in the EU. Now, Brussels wants to cut billions in subsidies to Budapest, but it's also possible he could strike back. By Markus Becker, Jan Puhl, Matthias Gebauer und Fidelius Schmid Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
"Everyone Here Is Like a Zombie, It's Terrible!" The Voices of Those Trapped in the Mariupol Steel Works Resistance fighters, the wounded and families with children have been trapped in a steel works in Mariupol for weeks. Shocking reports from the people trapped inside are now trickling out. Many fear they won’t survive the siege. By Ullrich Fichtner, Katja Lutska, Alexandra Rojkov und Thore Schröder Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Difficult Questions Germany and France Must Drive Effort for Credible Deterrent Against Russia A DER SPIEGEL Editorial By Martin Knobbe The EU faces difficult questions that need to be debated now rather than later. Europe needs a strong deterrent against Moscow, and that will only be possible if France and Germany team up to advance the debate.
Classified Database Frontex Involved in Illegal Pushbacks of Hundreds of Refugees An extended investigation over the course of several months reveals how deeply the EU's border agency, Frontex, is involved in the Greek refugee pushback campaign. The illegal acts are registered and concealed in a classified database. By Giorgos Christides und Steffen Lüdke Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Shanghai's Omicron Wave "It's Such a Busy City – You Can’t Just Shut It Down" The brutal lockdown in Shanghai is wreaking havoc on China's largest city. With millions under lockdown and difficulties delivering food, the crisis is becoming a burden not only for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but also for the global economy. By Georg Fahrion und Christoph Giesen Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Denkmal in Kiew abgerissen Vom »Freund« zum größten Feind Die ukrainische Regierung hat am Dienstag im Zentrum von Kiew ein riesiges Denkmal aus der Sowjetzeit abgerissen. Auch der Mann, der es einst erschuf, sprach sich dafür aus. Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
"We Have Never Seen Such Firepower" Russia Ramps Up the Pressure in Eastern Ukraine With Russia now concentrating its forces in eastern Ukraine, the war has completely changed character. In the open fields of the Donbas, Putin's army is seeking to leverage its firepower advantage. But the Ukrainians believe they still have a chance – if they get enough support from the West. Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Support for Kyiv Germany Expected to Announce Tank Deliveries to Ukraine The German government is expected to announce on Tuesday that it will deliver "Gepard" tanks to Ukraine, DER SPIEGEL has learned. The move comes amid growing calls in parliament to send heavy weapon systems to Kyiv in response to criticism that Berlin has been too hesitant in helping. Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Social Design Award 2022 Doing Our Part To Save the Climate Species conservation, biodiversity, climate resilience: SPIEGEL WISSEN magazine is looking for the best projects that aim to protect our planet. Take part in this year's Social Design Award. By Marianne Wellershoff Zur Merkliste hinzufügen
Back To Work Can Macron Unite a Deeply Divided France? A Commentary by Britta Sandberg Emmanuel Macron has won the second round of voting against radical right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen. But a far more difficult task lies ahead: His second term.