Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Der Spiegel: Finally, the Real Merkel

Unapologetic, Unequivocal: The Real Merkel Finally Stands up

German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week defended her embrace of refugees with an uncharacteristic outburst of compassion that is likely to go down in history. In doing so, she finally revealed a bit of her true political thinking. A Commentary by Roland Nelles more... [ Comment ]

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Under the Scope

Fortress HungaryOrbán Profits from the Refugees

In many respects, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has emerged as the political victor in the refugee crisis. Voters support his hardline stance and other Eastern European countries are following his suit. By Jan Puhl more... [ Comment ]

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'We Are Stubborn'Refugees Still Set on Germany Despite Border Controls

Germany introduced controls on its border with Austria on Sunday to slow down the influx of refugees coming into the country. The hope is for an EU-wide quota deal to share the burden. The refugees themselves, though, still hope they'll end up in Germany. By Raniah Salloum in Vienna more... [ Comment ]

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'I Feel like I Am Dead'Alan Kurdi's Father Tells His Story

The photograph of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee who perished on his way from Turkey to Greece, sent shockwaves around the world. Now his father Abdullah describes his ordeal. Adapted from an Interview Conducted by Katrin Kuntz more... [ Comment ]

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Austrian Chancellor Faymann'Memories of Our Continent's Darkest Period'

In an interview, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann discusses Germany's reaction to the refugee crisis, his disappointment in Hungary's response and his idea of sanctions for Eastern European countries that aren't sharing the burden. more... [ Comment ]

The Breaking Point? Germany's Asylum System Struggles to Cope

09/14/2015 from Inglenda2: For many of us who lived though WW2, it has become quite obvious, that the pebbles of truth in the... more...

The Breaking Point?Germany's Asylum System Struggles to Cope

As the migrant influx continues, the 'Refugees Welcome' high is beginning to wear off. People are beginning to wonder if Germany will really be able to cope with all the newcomers. And the system is already completely overwhelmed. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Comment ]

Photo Gallery: Nearing Capacity

09/14/2015 from normanandlilo: I am very surprised that the German government are admitting mainly male immigrants. We are all... more...

Welcoming the RefugeesHas Germany Really Changed?

Germany has been putting its best foot forward in the refugee crisis, welcoming asylum seekers with open arms. But the country's treatment of foreigners hasn't always been this warm. Are we seeing the new Germany, or will the old resurface? An Essay by Juan Moreno more...[ Comment ]

09/14/2015 from bmvjr: While being what the author cited a "biological" German I have lived overseas for more... more...

The VanishingWhy Are Young Egyptian Activists Disappearing?

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's security forces have been kidnapping scores of young activists in the country. They include former revolutionaries and Islamists who are, in many cases, being denied due process. By Nicola Abé more... [ Comment ]

09/13/2015 from afrikaneer: THE CASE FOR A STRONG EU WITH AN INDEPENDENT/UNIFIED FOREIGN POLICY. Nuclear and wealthy nations...more...

America's Oligarch ProblemHow the Super-Rich Threaten US Democracy

The sky's the limit when it comes to the United States' campaign finance system. Increasingly, the country's richest sector is gaining influence and control over America's politicals. The development threatens the country's once proud democracy. An Essay By Markus Feldenkirchenmore... [ Comment ]

09/14/2015 from Rodger Kroell: Democracy: one citizen of the appropriate ethnicity with property (great wealth or influence) = one...more...

The Islamic State DiaryA Chronicle of Life in Libyan Purgatory

For months, the Islamic State visited its reign of terror on the city of Derna, Libya -- until it was stopped by an al-Qaida offshoot. Farrah Schennib describes the horrors of daily life under the IS in his diary. more...

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