Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Der Spiegel

Back from the 'Caliphate': Returnee Says IS Recruiting for Terror Attacks in Germany

Islamist extremist Harry S. wasn't in Syria for long. But during his stay there, he claims, Islamic State leaders repeatedly tried to recruit him to commit terror attacks in Germany. Security officials believe he could be telling the truth. By Hubert Gude and Wolf Wiedmann-Schmidt more...[ Comment ]

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Under the Scope

Reflecting on RefugeesA Plea for Measured Debate

The debate over refugees in Germany has grown divisive. Those in favor are unwilling to recognize the difficulties ahead while those opposed too often veer toward prejudice and xenophobia. Neither is helpful. What's needed is an atmosphere of critical empathy. An Editorial by Klaus Brinkbäumer more... [ Comment ]

Yesterday at 12:08 AM from luisverdeagua: The debate, in my opinion needs to start with the unquestionable fact that Mrs Merckel acted like a... more...

Fear, Anger and HatredThe Rise of Germany's New Right

For years, a sense of disillusionment has been growing on the right. Now, the refugee crisis has magnified that frustration. Increasingly, people from the very center of society are identifying with the movement -- even as political debate coarsens and violence increases. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Comment ]

Yesterday at 07:21 AM from richard.uncp: East Germans got “grandfathered in” to a rich, prosperous, economically vibrant country in 1989.... more...

'Execution Orgy'Pakistan Learns from a Brutal Terrorist Attack

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. By Hasnain Kazim more... [ Comment ]

Photo Gallery: Security Gains Foothold in Peshawar

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Israeli-German RelationsPolemics Have No Place in True Friendships

With dubious Holocaust comparisons, the German Israel lobby is making life difficult for supporters of the Jewish state in Germany. Polemics should have no place in the relationship. An Essay by Christoph Schultmore... [ Comment ]

12/14/2015 from watsa46: Ethics first, ethics last and only ethics should guide human's actions. more...

Coalition of the UnwillingMerkel's Plan B Could Mean End of Schengen

Chancellor Angela Merkel's plan to find a resolution to the refugee crisis with the help of Turkey is encountering significant resistance. Berlin and Brussels are already considering alternatives, but it could mean the end of border-free travel in large parts of Europe. By Peter Müller, Ralf Neukirch and Andreas Ulrich more... [ Comment ]

Photo Gallery: European Frontiers

12/15/2015 from bartelbe: The brass neck of Merkel is unbelievable, she opens Germany's borders without consulting her... more...

Turkish Author Elif Shafak'We've Forgotten How to Laugh'

Turkish author Elif Shafak sees her country as a "wobbly democracy," increasingly authoritarian, polarized and depressed. And she is disappointed by European silence. Interview by Juliane von Mittelstaedt and Christoph Scheuermann more... [ Comment ]

12/13/2015 from broremann: this lack of empathy is sadly lacking not only in Turkey but also in Europe as a whole. It didn`t... more...

Tuvalu Prime Minister on Global WarmingA Cry for Help from 'the Edge of the Cliff'

The Pacific atoll of Tuvalu is one of the countries most threatened by global warming. Already, people have begun leaving as sea levels rise. Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga fears that the world still doesn't care about the world's most threatened populations. more... [ Comment ]

Going for Broke in Paris: It's Now or Never for the Climate

12/14/2015 from mia_teal: Although it is Tuvalu's fate is important for all humanity as a milestone, it does not matter if we... more...

The West's DilemmaWhy Assad Is Uninterested in Defeating Islamic State

In the fight against Islamic State, the West is considering cooperating with the Syrian army. There's a hitch though: Assad's troops aren't just too weak to defeat IS -- they also have no interest in doing so. By Christoph Reuter more... [ Comment ]

12/15/2015 from madsttdk: I see the Putinbots have descended on The Spiegel. Too bad for the truth. more...

Slippery SlopeAre German Ground Troops Inevitable in Syria?

Germany has approved the deployment of reconnaissance planes, a frigate and support personnel to support the fight against Islamic State in Syria. Experts say IS can't be defeated with air strikes alone. Will Germany ultimately be forced to send in ground troops? By Gordon Repinski and Christoph Schult more... [ Comment ]

12/14/2015 from epetazzoni: Reacting decisively in the face of acts of war like the ones recently perpetrated in Paris and... more...