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Nine Days in the Caliphate: A Yazidi Woman's Ordeal as an Islamic State Captive

When Islamic State fighters conquered the border region between Iraq and Syria, the Yazidi village of Kocho also fell into their hands. Twenty-year-old Nadia was among dozens of young women who were abducted and abused. This is the story of her ordeal. By Ralf Hoppe more... [ Comment ]

10/16/2014 from nsmith: Let's be honest for a minute. Do we really need to read this in-depth account?...Isn't it already... more...

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Announcement to Our Readers

SPIEGEL International in 2014: A Note from the Editors

Deadly Ukraine Crash German Intelligence Claims Pro-Russian Separatists Downed MH17

Germany's foreign intelligence agency says its review of the crash of a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 in Ukrainian has concluded it was brought down by a missile fired by pro-Russian separatists near Donetsk. more... [ Comment ]

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The Call of Jihad Families Struggle as German Kurds Join Islamists in Syria

Islamic State has no qualms about killing Kurds in Syria. Yet the organization has still managed to attract Kurdish supporters in Europe. In Hamburg, a number of families are struggling to cope with their sons' decisions to answer the call of jihad. By Maximilian Popp more... [ Comment ]

10/17/2014 from spon-facebook-1337445366: I assume that until the state finds out that he breaks the laws with brutalizing young people by... more...

The Reckoning Kohl Tapes Reveal a Man Full of Anger

Helmut Kohl spent over 600 hours speaking with the journalist Heribert Schwan about his life's work. The secret tapes reveal a chancellor resentful of his public image and disdainful of many of those around him, including Angela Merkel. By René Pfister more... [ Comment ]

Photo Gallery: Kohl's World

10/16/2014 from nsmith: Question: Is it anger?? -- or, is it guilt??... There is little doubt that both as a politician,... more...

Out of Balance? Criticism of Germany Grows as Economy Stalls

The latest indicators suggest Germany's once buzzing economy is beginning to stall. The development has created a serious dilemma for Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble. Critics say spurring growth is more important than his goal of a balanced budget. By Horand Knaup and Christian Reiermann more... [ Comment ]

10/18/2014 from worldaval: The thing is that the United States launched an attack on Russia! Washington's motives are... more...

The Last Days of Kobani A Decisive Battle in the Fight against Islamic State

Turkey stands by doing nothing while US bombs have been unable to slow down Islamic State fighters: The battle for Kobani has revealed the West's helplessness in the face of radical jihad. Worries of a massacre are growing. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Comment ]

Photo Gallery: The Fate of Kobani

10/15/2014 from faruktimur: RTE, the president of Turkey doesn't have his own Islamic army, to have his own IE (The Islamic... more...

The Extremist Trap Don't Sacrifice Civil Rights in Battle against Islamists

After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the US sacrificed its values and betrayed its civil rights. With a new Islamist threat brewing, Germany must avoid avoid making the same mistakes. Its democracy is strong enough to withstand the threat. A DER SPIEGEL Editorial more... [ Comment ]

10/16/2014 from eric.seufert: News flash Der Spiegel, Guantanamo is open and you've been quiet since Bush left office. Hmmm. ... more...

'Aren't We Human Beings?' One Year After the Lampedusa Refugee Tragedy

When over 300 refugees drowned off the coast of Italy last October, the incident prompted widespread outcry and promises to save more lives. But 12 months later, the fates of the survivors show just how broken Europe's refugee system really is. By Juliane von Mittelstaedt and Maximilian Popp more... [ Comment ]

Photo Gallery: Refugees, Scattered Across Europe

10/14/2014 from nsmith: Again, the same virulent anti-West diatribe, and again the reminder that to date it is CHINA that... more...

Anarchy vs. Stability Dictatorships and Chaos Go Hand in Hand

The argument that a stable, autocratic state is better than a failed one has become increasingly fashionable. But it misses the fact that autocracies are ultimately the source of that chaos. A Commentary By Mathieu von Rohr more... [ Comment ]

Freedom vs. Stability: Are Dictators Worse than Anarchy?

10/17/2014 from christym.: In order to maintain a 'stable dictatorship' the leader must ensure his people are in no way aware... more...

An Israeli in Berlin The Chocolate Pudding Exodus

A young Israeli is calling on his fellow citizens to move to Berlin, where life is cheaper than in Tel Aviv. Politicians back home are outraged by 25-year-old the expatriate's online campaign. By Raniah Salloum more...

Missing Plane Emirates Head Critical of MH 370 Investigation

Why is there still no trace of flight MH 370? In an interview, Sir Tim Clark, head of Emirates Airline, is sharply critical of the investigation thus far. He believes someone took control of the plane and maintained it until the very end. Interview Conducted by Andreas Spaeth more... [ Comment ]

10/16/2014 from cyndilou40: Mr. Clark should check out the evidence from the Gulf of Thailand. This debris field IS near the... more...

Freedom vs. Stability Are Dictators Worse than Anarchy?

Although there is always reason to celebrate the toppling of an autocrat, the outcome of the Iraq war and the rise of Islamic State have demonstrated in horrific terms that the alternative can be even worse. A Commentary By Christiane Hoffmann more... [ Comment ]