https://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 23 Sep 2019 13:37:05 +0200 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 13:37:05 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de https://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/v12/logo/spiegelonline_400x44_amp.png https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/visit-to-taliban-highlights-hurdles-to-peace-in-afghanistan-a-1249998.html#ref=rss More than 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, the country is still at war. The Afghan army is weak, a resurgent Taliban is mounting fresh attacks and new peace negotiations do not include Kabul. Peace remains a distant goal. Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:20:16 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/visit-to-taliban-highlights-hurdles-to-peace-in-afghanistan-a-1249998.html https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/afghanistan-autobomben-anschlag-in-kabul-vor-auslaender-hotel-a-1248050.html#ref=rss Bei einem Terroranschlag nahe einer schwer gesicherten Ausländerunterkunft sind in Kabul mindestens vier Menschen getötet worden. Nach SPIEGEL-Informationen wurden auch zwei deutsche Polizisten durch herumfliegende Splitter verletzt. Mon, 14 Jan 2019 22:08:00 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/afghanistan-autobomben-anschlag-in-kabul-vor-auslaender-hotel-a-1248050.html Bei einem Terroranschlag nahe einer schwer gesicherten Ausländerunterkunft sind in Kabul mindestens vier Menschen getötet worden. Nach SPIEGEL-Informationen wurden auch zwei deutsche Polizisten durch herumfliegende Splitter verletzt.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/interview-with-afghan-pop-star-aryana-sayeed-on-women-in-afghanistan-a-1220274.html#ref=rss Aryana Sayeed, 33, is the only internationally known pop act in Afghanistan. She is adored by youth -- and hunted by the Taliban. Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:14:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/interview-with-afghan-pop-star-aryana-sayeed-on-women-in-afghanistan-a-1220274.html https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/controversy-stews-over-german-interior-minister-s-deportation-remarks-a-1218864.html#ref=rss As Germany's interior minister joked about deporting 69 refugees on his birthday last week, news emerged that one of those Afghan deportees had committed suicide in Kabul. The man's treatment raises serious questions about the country's deportation policies.<i> By DER SPIEGEL Staff</i> Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:50:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/controversy-stews-over-german-interior-minister-s-deportation-remarks-a-1218864.html By DER SPIEGEL Staff ]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/hamid-karzai-on-afghanistan-we-failed-miserably-a-1212907.html#ref=rss In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai discusses the failure of the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, the future of the war and why he would be willing to work with the Trump administration. Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:29:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/hamid-karzai-on-afghanistan-we-failed-miserably-a-1212907.html In an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai discusses the failure of the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan, the future of the war and why he would be willing to work with the Trump administration. ]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-seed-sown-by-the-west-afghanistan-s-young-liberal-elites-challenge-the-taliban-a-1158572.html#ref=rss A young, liberal elite has emerged in Kabul, including many women. It is taking a stand against the Taliban's atrocities in the form of political and artistic initiatives and wants to put an end to Afghanistan's culture of violence. Mon, 24 Jul 2017 15:03:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-seed-sown-by-the-west-afghanistan-s-young-liberal-elites-challenge-the-taliban-a-1158572.html A young, liberal elite has emerged in Kabul, including many women. It is taking a stand against the Taliban's atrocities in the form of political and artistic initiatives and wants to put an end to Afghanistan's culture of violence. ]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/taliban-in-kunduz-is-erasing-gains-of-afghanistan-deployment-a-1116101.html#ref=rss The Taliban has carried out repeated raids on Kunduz in northern Afghanistan despite ongoing Western presence in the country As the situation has deteriorated, locals have become caught between two fronts -- and the future of the country is at stake. Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:14:59 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/taliban-in-kunduz-is-erasing-gains-of-afghanistan-deployment-a-1116101.html The Taliban has carried out repeated raids on Kunduz in northern Afghanistan despite ongoing Western presence in the country As the situation has deteriorated, locals have become caught between two fronts -- and the future of the country is at stake. ]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/thomas-de-maiziere-faced-with-influx-of-afghan-refugees-a-1080125.html#ref=rss Hundreds of thousands of Afghans are seeking refuge in Germany from their country's turmoil. Berlin plans to increase its deportations and scare tactics in order to lower the number of asylum-seekers from the region. Wed, 02 Mar 2016 14:27:00 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/thomas-de-maiziere-faced-with-influx-of-afghan-refugees-a-1080125.html Hundreds of thousands of Afghans are seeking refuge in Germany from their country's turmoil. Berlin plans to increase its deportations and scare tactics in order to lower the number of asylum-seekers from the region.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/pakistan-security-improves-in-wake-of-deadly-school-attack-a-1067740.html#ref=rss One year ago, Taliban attackers stormed a school in Peshawar and killed over 130 children. Since then, the government and military have begun taking security seriously. Many say the country has changed for the better. Mon, 14 Dec 2015 15:33:00 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/pakistan-security-improves-in-wake-of-deadly-school-attack-a-1067740.html One year ago, Taliban attackers stormed a school in Peshawar and killed over 130 children. Since then, the government and military have begun taking security seriously. Many say the country has changed for the better.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-a-1064978.html#ref=rss Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is calling for greater support for Afghanistan, where the Taliban's strength is growing. The fact that tens of thousands are fleeing his country to Europe is likely to be a major topic of his meeting with Chancellor Merkel on Thursday. Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:23:11 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-a-1064978.html https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/refugee-crisis-leads-to-new-focus-of-german-foreign-policy-a-1062116.html#ref=rss With the refugee crisis showing no signs of abating, Germany is rapidly changing its foreign and security policy focus. Gone are the days of democracy promotion. Now the primary goal is that of preventing people from migrating to Europe. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Wed, 11 Nov 2015 11:43:15 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/refugee-crisis-leads-to-new-focus-of-german-foreign-policy-a-1062116.html With the refugee crisis showing no signs of abating, Germany is rapidly changing its foreign and security policy focus. Gone are the days of democracy promotion. Now the primary goal is that of preventing people from migrating to Europe. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/crisis-in-aghanistan-leads-wave-of-migrants-to-head-to-europe-a-1059919.html#ref=rss As the situation in Afghanistan becomes ever more chaotic, an increasing number of Afghans are heading towards Europe. But as one family's story shows, the trip often ends in tragedy. Fri, 30 Oct 2015 10:58:00 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/crisis-in-aghanistan-leads-wave-of-migrants-to-head-to-europe-a-1059919.html As the situation in Afghanistan becomes ever more chaotic, an increasing number of Afghans are heading towards Europe. But as one family's story shows, the trip often ends in tragedy.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/former-afghan-intelligence-chief-on-recent-taliban-attacks-a-1049245.html#ref=rss In an interview, former Afghan secret service chief Amrullah Saleh discusses the recent wave of Taliban violence aimed at cementing power for its new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. He says the attacks are backed by Pakistan. Fri, 21 Aug 2015 20:00:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/former-afghan-intelligence-chief-on-recent-taliban-attacks-a-1049245.html In an interview, former Afghan secret service chief Amrullah Saleh discusses the recent wave of Taliban violence aimed at cementing power for its new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. He says the attacks are backed by Pakistan.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/journalist-bette-dam-on-the-death-of-taliban-leader-mullah-omar-a-1046086.html#ref=rss Following reports of the death of Mullah Omar, the situation in Afghanistan is chaotic -- the peace process is on the fritz and the Taliban is divided. A Dutch journalist writing a biography of the Islamist leader says his role has been exaggerated. Thu, 30 Jul 2015 23:55:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/journalist-bette-dam-on-the-death-of-taliban-leader-mullah-omar-a-1046086.html Following reports of the death of Mullah Omar, the situation in Afghanistan is chaotic -- the peace process is on the fritz and the Taliban is divided. A Dutch journalist writing a biography of the Islamist leader says his role has been exaggerated.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghan-mercenaries-fighting-for-assad-and-stuck-in-syria-a-1032869.html#ref=rss Syrian dictator Bashar Assad is running out of soldiers and is forced to rely on mercenaries in his ongoing battle against rebels. Many of his foreign fighters come from Afghanistan -- men like Murad, who is now being held in Aleppo as a prisoner-of-war. Mon, 11 May 2015 12:32:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghan-mercenaries-fighting-for-assad-and-stuck-in-syria-a-1032869.html Syrian dictator Bashar Assad is running out of soldiers and is forced to rely on mercenaries in his ongoing battle against rebels. Many of his foreign fighters come from Afghanistan -- men like Murad, who is now being held in Aleppo as a prisoner-of-war.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/ramstein-base-in-germany-a-key-center-in-us-drone-war-a-1029279.html#ref=rss The US Air Force base in Ramstein is a central and indispensible element in Barack Obama's controversial use of drones in the war against terror. New documents are creating pressure for both Washington and the German government. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Wed, 22 Apr 2015 23:03:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/ramstein-base-in-germany-a-key-center-in-us-drone-war-a-1029279.html The US Air Force base in Ramstein is a central and indispensible element in Barack Obama's controversial use of drones in the war against terror. New documents are creating pressure for both Washington and the German government. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/secret-docs-reveal-dubious-details-of-targeted-killings-in-afghanistan-a-1010358.html#ref=rss Combat operations in Afghanistan may be coming to an end, but a look at secret NATO documents reveals that the US and the UK were far less scrupulous in choosing targets for killing than previously believed. Drug dealers were also on the lists. Sun, 28 Dec 2014 20:02:00 +0100 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/secret-docs-reveal-dubious-details-of-targeted-killings-in-afghanistan-a-1010358.html Combat operations in Afghanistan may be coming to an end, but a look at secret NATO documents reveals that the US and the UK were far less scrupulous in choosing targets for killing than previously believed. Drug dealers were also on the lists.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghanistan-road-project-tells-story-of-taliban-violence-and-failure-a-994569.html#ref=rss It was to be a symbol of reconstructed Afghanistan: a paved highway from Kabul to the beautiful valley of Bamiyan. Construction has long been underway, but the project may never be completed -- a victim of the realities in present-day Afghanistan. Tue, 30 Sep 2014 18:04:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/afghanistan-road-project-tells-story-of-taliban-violence-and-failure-a-994569.html It was to be a symbol of reconstructed Afghanistan: a paved highway from Kabul to the beautiful valley of Bamiyan. Construction has long been underway, but the project may never be completed -- a victim of the realities in present-day Afghanistan.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/security-eroding-in-northern-afghanistan-after-german-withdrawal-a-965522.html#ref=rss Six months ago, Germany's military withdrew from Kunduz in northern Afghanistan. Since then, regional security has eroded and many of those left behind feel abandoned. Some say that the departure came too soon. Tue, 22 Apr 2014 17:54:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/security-eroding-in-northern-afghanistan-after-german-withdrawal-a-965522.html Six months ago, Germany's military withdrew from Kunduz in northern Afghanistan. Since then, regional security has eroded and many of those left behind feel abandoned. Some say that the departure came too soon.]]> https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/an-obituary-of-german-war-photographer-anja-niedringhaus-a-962995.html#ref=rss German photojournalist Anja Niedringhaus spent her life documenting wars, but she never allowed the difficult job to get the better of her. One of SPIEGEL's own war correspondents commemorates the work of a longtime colleague killed in Afghanistan on Friday. Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:27:00 +0200 https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/an-obituary-of-german-war-photographer-anja-niedringhaus-a-962995.html German photojournalist Anja Niedringhaus spent her life documenting wars, but she never allowed the difficult job to get the better of her. One of SPIEGEL's own war correspondents commemorates the work of a longtime colleague killed in Afghanistan on Friday.]]>