International

▣ Forced Mercenaries: How Russia Dupes Kenyans into Fighting in Ukraine

One thought he was getting a job driving a truck in Russia. Another says he was invited to run in a race. Both ended up being forced to fight in Putin's war.

▣ German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: "I Am Dissatisfied with the Prevailing Atmosphere in Germany"

In a wide ranging interview with DER SPIEGEL, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks about his relationship with Trump, the immense challenges facing Germany and the dangers of the AfD.

▣ Ten Years after the End of the One-Child Policy: A Visit to Ground Zero of China's Aging Population

Ten years ago, China brought the one-child policy to an end. In Rudong, the city where the policy was originally tested, 40 percent of residents are over the age of 60 - a preview of what is to come.

▣ Terror Records in German Hands: ISIS and the Bureaucracy of Evil

DER SPIEGEL has learned that German authorities have obtained detailed membership lists kept by the terror group Islamic State. Some suspected terrorists are apparently still living in Germany.

▣ The War in Ukraine: As Russian Losses Mount, Signing Bonuses for Recruits Are Skyrocketing

It is becoming increasingly difficult for Russian officials to meet the recruitment quotas set by Moscow. In response, bonuses are rising and standards are plummeting, as DER SPIEGEL has learned.

▣ Defense in Orbit: Germany Goes Big in the Military Space Race

Berlin was long content to ignore space as a military frontier. But now, the Merz government is investing 35 billion euros in an array of new systems. The race for lucrative contracts has begun.

▣ Trump's Blockade: The Lights Are Going Out in Cuba

U.S. President Donald Trump is forcing Cuba to its knees. Power outages are the norm and people are having trouble making ends meet. Many say, though, that the problems are homemade.

▣ Donald Trump Has Run Out of Options in Iran

Trump has started a war he can no longer end. None of the options for exiting the current morass are palatable. And with Iran now attacking the global economy, the United States is on the defensive.

▣ Ukrainians Soldiers Who Have Abandoned the Fight: All Quiet on the Eastern Front

When the Russians launched their attack, Taras, Maksym and Lew fought hard to repel the invaders. Now, they have had enough of killing and suffering - and have gone underground as deserters.

▣ U.S. Military Expert on Oil Tanker Convoys in the Strait of Hormuz: "Iran Must Only Succeed Once to Trigger a Catastrophe"

How can Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz be broken? Retired General S. Clinton Hinote has addressed precisely that question as the former Air Force chief strategist. His conclusion? Difficult.

▣ Indigenous Activist Nick Tilsen: "Trump Wants to Hear Nothing about the Genocide against Indigenous Nations"

The United States this year is celebrating its 250th anniversary, and President Donald Trump is turning 80. The site of the party may be a sacred site in the Black Hills - and Indigenous activist Nick Tilsen is in no mood to join in.

▣ Donald Trump's U.S. Abandons Role as Global Leader

America's once-cherished role as a force of stability and order has gone up in smoke in the Middle East. After just two weeks of war in Iran, it is clear that the world has changed for good.

▣ Insta, TikTok and Co.: Is Australia's Social Media Ban for Children Actually Working?

In December, Australia became the first country in the world to enact a social media ban for children under 16. Lawmakers around the world are interested in following suit. But is it actually working?

▣ "Reckless, Suicidal Race": The Deadly Threat Posed by Artificial Intelligence

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is just as dangerous as the invention of nuclear weapons. AI pioneers are warning that the technology must be brought under control while it's still possible.

▣ Portrait of a City after Four Years of War: The Courage of Kyiv

The attacks come at night. But once the sun comes up, daily life continues. After four years of war, the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv remains defiant. Where does the city's strength come from?

▣ U.S. Historian Robert Kagan: "We Are Watching a Country Fall Under Dictatorship Almost Without Resistance"

The Cold War? Child's play compared to what lies ahead, according to U.S. historian Robert Kagan. Trump, he says, is leading the world into the most dangerous era since 1945.

▣ Nord Stream: How Early Did the CIA Know about the Pipeline Attack?

In 2022, a Ukrainian commando blew up the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline. DER SPIEGEL has learned that the CIA may have spoken to the saboteurs during the planning stage.

▣ Gisèle Pelicot After the Rape Trial: "I Now Allow Myself to Be Happy Again"

The courage Gisèle Pelicot showed during the trial of her rapists made her a hero to women around the world. Here, she speaks about the difficult weeks in court and the source of her bravery.