Listen on * Spotify * Apple Music * Amazon Music In der Linkspartei tobt ein bitterer Kampf um die Deutung des Nahostkonflikts. Während die „alte Garde“ um Gregor Gysi den Schutz Israels als Staatsräson verteidigt , formiert sich an der Basis und in Landesverbänden wie Niedersachsen ein radikaler antizionistischer Flügel. Wie die Parteispitze versucht, das zu moderieren und dabei womöglich den moralischen Kompass verliert, analysiert Gordon Repinski. Janis Ehling, Bundesgeschäftsführer der Linken, stellt sich im 200-Sekunden-Interview der Frage, wie tief der Riss wirklich geht und wie man in der Partei eine klare Grenze zum Antisemitismus ziehen und gleichzeitig wieder zusammen finden kann. In Brüssel beginnt ein entscheidender EU-Gipfel unter extremem Zeitdruck. Kanzler Friedrich Merz und Frankreichs Präsident Emmanuel Macron müssen ihre Differenzen beiseite legen, um den „Dauer-Blockierer“ Viktor Orbán zur Freigabe der 90-Milliarden-Hilfen für die Ukraine zu bewegen. Hans von der Burchard berichtet aus Brüssel über den deutsch-französischen Motor, die Drohungen von Donald Trump und die europäische Antwort auf die eskalierende Lage im Iran. Unseren Podcasts ⁠„Inside AfD“ findet ihr hier⁠ und ⁠„Power & Policy“ hier⁠. Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es jeden Morgen ab 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team liefern Politik zum Hören – kompakt, international, hintergründig. Für alle Hauptstadt-Profis: Der Berlin Playbook-Newsletter bietet jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. ⁠Jetzt kostenlos abonnieren.⁠ Mehr von Host und POLITICO Executive Editor Gordon Repinski: Instagram: ⁠@gordon.repinski⁠ | X: ⁠@GordonRepinski⁠. POLITICO Deutschland – ein Angebot der Axel Springer Deutschland GmbH Axel-Springer-Straße 65, 10888 Berlin Tel: +49 (30) 2591 0 ⁠information@axelspringer.de⁠ Sitz: Amtsgericht Berlin-Charlottenburg, HRB 196159 B USt-IdNr: DE 214 852 390 Geschäftsführer: Carolin Hulshoff Pol, Mathias Sanchez Luna

Listen on * Spotify * Apple Music * Amazon Music Der Iran-Konflikt dominiert die internationale Lage: Nach einer Eskalationswelle zwischen Washington, Tel Aviv und Teheran steht auch Europa im Fokus. Wie handlungsfähig Europa wirklich ist, wie Einstimmigkeitsregeln blockieren und welche Rolle Deutschland und die EU in den transatlantischen Debatten spielt, analysiert Gordon Repinski. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview ordnet Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann ein, warum sie die Angriffe auf den Iran für konform mit dem Völkerrecht hält und wie sie Gefahren durch iranische Stellvertreter und geopolitische Risiken bewertet. Außerdem geht es um Friedrich Merz’ Washington-Reise: Neben dem Iran stehen Zölle, die Ukraine-Unterstützung und mögliche französische Strategien zur nuklearen Abschreckung auf der Agenda. Hans von der Burchard gibt einen Überblick dazu. Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es jeden Morgen ab 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team liefern Politik zum Hören – kompakt, international, hintergründig. Für alle Hauptstadt-Profis: Der Berlin Playbook-Newsletter bietet jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. ⁠Jetzt kostenlos abonnieren.⁠ Mehr von Host und POLITICO Executive Editor Gordon Repinski: Instagram: ⁠@gordon.repinski⁠ | X: ⁠@GordonRepinski⁠. POLITICO Deutschland – ein Angebot der Axel Springer Deutschland GmbH Axel-Springer-Straße 65, 10888 Berlin Tel: +49 (30) 2591 0 ⁠information@axelspringer.de⁠ Sitz: Amtsgericht Berlin-Charlottenburg, HRB 196159 B USt-IdNr: DE 214 852 390 Geschäftsführer: Carolin Hulshoff Pol, Mathias Sanchez Luna

Listen on * Spotify * Apple Music * Amazon Music Die Berlinale 2026 ist längst vorbei, aber die Debatte beginnt erst richtig. Antisemitismus-Vorwürfe, antiisraelische Töne und die Sorge vor einer politischer Vereinnahmung überschatten das Festival und dessen Zukunft. Rixa Fürsen über die Frage: Wie lassen sich Kunstfreiheit und Meinungsfreiheit mit der klaren Ächtung von Antisemitismus vereinbaren? Im 200-Sekunden-Interview geht es dann mit Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Grüne) ebenfalls um die Kontroverse: Was tun gegen einen augenscheinlich tief sitzenden Antisemitismus in Teilen der Kulturszene? Welche politischen Konsequenzen braucht es? Die AfD verbucht einen juristischen Teilerfolg. Das Verwaltungsgericht Köln untersagt dem Verfassungsschutz vorerst, die gesamte AfD als rechtsextremistisch einzustufen. Was bedeutet das praktisch für die Partei, für den Verfassungsschutz und für die politische Debatte? Einschätzungen dazu von Pauline von Pezold, Host unseres ⁠POLITICO-Podcasts „Inside AfD“⁠. Und zum Schluss: ein Blick in die „schwarz-gelbe“ Kartoffelküche. Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es jeden Morgen ab 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team liefern Politik zum Hören – kompakt, international, hintergründig. Für alle Hauptstadt-Profis: Der Berlin Playbook-Newsletter bietet jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. ⁠Jetzt kostenlos abonnieren.⁠ Mehr von Host und POLITICO Executive Editor Gordon Repinski: Instagram: ⁠@gordon.repinski⁠ | X: ⁠@GordonRepinski⁠. POLITICO Deutschland – ein Angebot der Axel Springer Deutschland GmbH Axel-Springer-Straße 65, 10888 Berlin Tel: +49 (30) 2591 0 ⁠information@axelspringer.de⁠ Sitz: Amtsgericht Berlin-Charlottenburg, HRB 196159 B USt-IdNr: DE 214 852 390 Geschäftsführer: Carolin Hulshoff Pol, Mathias Sanchez Luna **(Anzeige) Eine Nachricht von Roche Deutschland: Deutschlands Zukunft entscheidet sich bei Innovation. Darum investieren wir heute Milliarden in Forschung, Produktion und Wertschöpfung in Deutschland – für Souveränität, Sicherheit und Unabhängigkeit. Denn klar ist: Wo Innovation ausgebremst wird, verliert eine Schlüsselindustrie an Tempo. Und Deutschland an gesunder Zukunft.**

Cindy McCain will step down as executive director of the U.N. World Food Program later this year, citing ongoing health concerns after suffering a mild stroke in October. McCain informed staff and the agency’s executive board today that she plans to leave her post in three months to focus on her recovery, according to a WFP statement. The 71-year-old returned to the Rome-based agency in early January but said the demands of the job were “outpacing” her recovery. “With a heavy heart, I am announcing my intention to step down,” McCain said, calling the decision “one of the most difficult” she has ever made. Carl Skau, No. 2 at WFP, will temporarily helm the agency while a successor is named. McCain’s final day has yet to be determined. McCain, the widow of late U.S. Sen. John McCain, took the helm of the world’s largest humanitarian organization in April 2023. Her tenure has been dominated by spiraling global hunger driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine, climate shocks and funding shortfalls. In a 2023 interview with POLITICO, she warned the world faced a “catastrophic” hunger crisis without a surge in funding. Her tenure was also marked by intense diplomatic pressure during the war in Gaza. In March 2024, she urged Israel to allow “consistent, sustained and safe access” for humanitarian convoys, telling POLITICO that blocked convoys, not lack of food, were driving the famine risk. Since last year, WFP has been battered by a deep financial crunch. Cuts from major Western donors — including its largest backer, the U.S. — have forced the agency to slash rations even as acute food insecurity affects more than 340 million people worldwide In October, McCain suffered a mild stroke and temporarily took leave, saying at the time she expected to make a full recovery. She said Thursday she would remain “an unwavering voice” in the fight against hunger after leaving office.

Listen on * Spotify * Apple Music * Amazon Music Donald Trump setzt zum nächsten Bruch mit der Weltordnung an. Sein Friedensrat versteht sich als Gegenentwurf zu den Vereinten Nationen und kommt heute erstmals zusammen. Der Rat wird von Trump selbst geführt, Mitglieder sollen hohe Beiträge leisten. Gordon Repinski und Hans von der Burchard besprechen, wieso sich Deutschland und viele Länder der EU raushalten wollen und doch nicht richtig raushalten können. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview widerspricht die Grünen-Parteichefin Franziska Brantner klar der These, der Friedensrat sei eine neue UNO. Sie spricht von einem Projekt, das die Vereinten Nationen umgeht, warnt vor einem fragilen Frieden im Gazastreifen und einer katastrophalen Lage in der Westbank. Danach richtet sich der Blick auf Frankfurt/Main. EZB-Präsidentin Christine Lagarde sollte über einen vorzeitigen Rückzug nachdenken. Offiziell gibt es kein Dementi. Diskutiert wird, wie eng Personalfragen der Europäischen Zentralbank mit Emmanuel Macron verknüpft sind und welchen Anspruch Deutschland auf die EZB-Spitze erheben könnte. POLITICO hat zwei neue Podcast-Format: In „Power & Policy” geht es immer donnerstags um die wichtigsten wirtschaftspolitischen Entscheidungen in Deutschland. ⁠Das neue Format gibt es hier⁠. Außerdem neu: „Inside AfD”, der Podcast über die Partei, die Deutschland verändert. ⁠Dieses neue Format findet ihr hier⁠. Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es jeden Morgen ab 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team liefern Politik zum Hören – kompakt, international, hintergründig. Für alle Hauptstadt-Profis: Der Berlin Playbook-Newsletter bietet jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. ⁠Jetzt kostenlos abonnieren.⁠ Mehr von Host und POLITICO Executive Editor Gordon Repinski: Instagram: ⁠@gordon.repinski⁠ | X: ⁠@GordonRepinski⁠. POLITICO Deutschland – ein Angebot der Axel Springer Deutschland GmbH Axel-Springer-Straße 65, 10888 Berlin Tel: +49 (30) 2591 0 ⁠information@axelspringer.de⁠ Sitz: Amtsgericht Berlin-Charlottenburg, HRB 196159 B USt-IdNr: DE 214 852 390 Geschäftsführer: Carolin Hulshoff Pol, Mathias Sanchez Luna **(Anzeige) Eine Nachricht von Amazon: Unabhängige Verkaufspartner stehen heute für über 60 % aller bei Amazon verkauften Produkte. Ein Beispiel ist 3Bears aus München: Caroline und ihr Team haben ihre Leidenschaft in ein erfolgreich wachsendes Unternehmen verwandelt. Über Amazon bringt 3Bears hochwertigen Porridge auf Frühstückstische in ganz Europa. Sie sind eines von rund 47.000 deutschen kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen, die bei Amazon erfolgreich verkaufen. Jetzt mehr erfahren auf: AboutAmazon.de.**

A United Nations committee empowered to review complaints against the U.N.’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories has dismissed allegations of antisemitism against her as being based on disinformation. Several EU countries have called for the resignation of Francesca Albanese over comments she made about Israel’s war in Gaza during a Feb. 7 televised address. But the committee’s six U.N. experts have criticized what they termed “vicious attacks, rooted in disinformation,” which they said were based on a doctored video of the U.N. official’s speech. “We denounce actions by Ministers of certain States to rely on manufactured facts and criticise Ms Albanese for statements that she never made,” the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council said in a press release. In her address, Albanese used the phrase: “We as a humanity have a common enemy.” During her comments and after her speech she said the words had referred to a “system” — which included media and Western governments — that supported Israel even as it perpetrated a “genocide” in Gaza. But critics said Albanese had directed an antisemitic smear at Israel. An abridged version of the video, posted by the executive director of the UN Watch advocacy group, made it appear Albanese had referred to Israel as humanity’s common enemy. The altered video has been viewed more than 1 million times on X. Demands for Albanese’s resignation followed. These were led by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and supported by Germany, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic. Barrot’s call was applauded by U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner. Albanese was placed under U.S. sanctions last year, and the State Department condemned her “unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West.” Albanese has rejected the allegations of antisemitism fueled by the recent video clip. “I’ve never said that. I’ve said something very different. But of course it’s been manipulated so as to corroborate the defamation against me,” she told France 24. A spokesperson for Barrot said on social media that the push for her dismissal wasn’t based on Albanese’s most recent comments but reflected “a worrying accumulation of problematic statements.” Barrot said he plans to reiterate his call for Albanese to step down at next week’s meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council. The responsibilities of the Coordination Committee — comprising independent experts in human rights, who are each also U.N. rapporteurs — include reviewing complaints against special rapporteurs and reporting back to the Human Rights Council. No formal complaint has been made against Albanese over her most recent comments this month and the committee was making a statement under their own volition, not as a formal finding. “Instead of demanding Ms Albanese’s resignation for performing her mandate in very challenging circumstances — including persistent intimidation, coordinated personal attacks and unlawful unilateral sanctions — these Government representatives should join forces to hold accountable, including before the International Criminal Court, leaders and officials accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza,” the Committee said. The Israeli government has repeatedly rejected accusations that it committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza during its two-year military offensive against Hamas militants in the coastal enclave.

Israel reopened the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt on Sunday in a limited capacity after two years, allowing only foot traffic, as violence continued across the Gaza Strip. The move comes amid fresh bloodshed in the enclave, with Gaza’s civil defense agency reporting dozens killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces said it was responding to ceasefire violations. Around 80,000 Palestinians who left Gaza during Israel’s war on the enclave are seeking to return through the crossing from Egypt, a Palestinian official told Al Jazeera. At the same time, Israel announced it was terminating the operations of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, accusing the group of failing to submit lists of its Palestinian staff — a requirement Israeli authorities say applies to all aid organizations in the territory. Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism alleged that two employees had ties to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, accusations the medical charity has strongly denied. The ministry said the group must halt its work and leave Gaza by Feb. 28. The tightly controlled reopening of Rafah — alongside the expulsion of a major humanitarian actor — is likely to intensify scrutiny of Israel’s handling of civilian access and aid as the conflict drags on.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday in a statement that he will join U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial Board of Peace, which is tasked with overseeing the ceasefire and reconstruction in Gaza. Netanyahu is the latest leader to confirm his participation in the body, which Trump formally established last week as part of his 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The board — described by Trump as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place” — currently includes a motley mix of countries, among them the United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Canada and Vietnam. Several other leaders have received invitations but have so far declined to commit or said they are still mulling their participation, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Some fear Trump could seek to create a shadow United Nations, which he has long lambasted as ineffective, as the board’s charter makes no direct reference to Gaza and gives it a broad mandate to resolve global conflicts. Trump for his part said Tuesday his board “might” replace the U.N. but added, “I believe you got to let the U.N. continue because the potential is so great.” French President Emmanuel Macron rejected the offer outright, with his office saying the board’s charter “goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions” about whether it could undermine the U.N. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is considering an invitation but criticized Trump’s decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin. “For me, it is very difficult to imagine how we and Russia would be together on a board,” Zelenskyy said. “And this isn’t about the ‘Board of Peace.’ It’s just that Russia is all about a ‘board of war.’ And Belarus as well.” Putin’s potential inclusion drew further backlash from Poland, where an aide to President Karol Nawrocki, a Trump ally, said the Kremlin was “at odds” with Warsaw. According to the Trump administration, countries seeking a permanent seat on the board must contribute at least $1 billion. Those that do not will be limited to a three-year term. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that while he would join, Ottawa would not cough up the membership fee. The board’s executive committee is set to include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and World Bank President Ajay Banga.

U.S. President Donald Trump invited Russian leader Vladimir Putin to join his “Board of Peace” to oversee next steps in Gaza, the Kremlin said Monday. “Indeed, President Putin also received an offer through diplomatic channels to join this Peace Council. We are currently studying all the details of this proposal,” Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a media briefing. “We hope for a contact with the American side so that we can clarify all the details,” he added. Trump announced the establishment of the board — which he touted as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place” — on Friday as a key part of his 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The committee, chaired by Trump, will oversee the transitional governance of Gaza. The U.S. embassy in Brussels did not immediately respond to questions about the invitation. Putin, for his part, has spent the last four years waging a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has killed thousands of civilians, and demolished towns and cities. Invitations to join the board were also addressed to countries including Argentina, Egypt, India, and Turkey among others. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also received an invitation, as has Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Those who want a permanent membership beyond the three-year term will have to cough up $1 billion, Bloomberg first reported. Canada will join but won’t pay for the permanent seat, Carney said. So far, the leaders of Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam have accepted the invitation. “Hungary’s efforts for peace are being recognised. President Trump has invited Hungary to join the work of The Board of Peace as a founding member. We have, of course, accepted this honourable invitation,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said. The executive committee of the board will include, among others, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ajay Banga, the head of the World Bank. 

Israel’s foreign ministry accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of antisemitism on Friday, escalating tensions with the progressive leader within hours of him formally taking office. Israel’s criticism focused on Mamdani’s revocation of executive orders issued under his predecessor Eric Adams, including policies supportive of Israel. The Adams-era measures had prevented city officials from pursuing punitive economic policies such as boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. They had also adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which the Adams’ administration said identified “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism.” “On his very first day as New York City Mayor Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,” Israel’s foreign ministry said in a post. Mamdani became mayor just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, beginning a term that Democrats hope will energize the party ahead of the 2026 midterms. The 34-year-old democratic socialist campaigned on an ambitious but costly agenda, including universal free childcare and free buses, financed in part by higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. Friday’s public rebuke from Israel’s government adds an international dimension to a controversy already unfolding at home. On Thursday, Jewish civil rights groups criticized the removal of posts related to combating antisemitism from the official @NYCMayor X account shortly after Mamdani assumed office, warning that the move risked sending the wrong signal at a particularly sensitive moment. Mamdani has repeatedly rejected accusations of antisemitism, arguing his criticism of Israel is rooted in human rights concerns. He has pledged to protect New York’s Jewish community, while maintaining his outspoken views on Middle East policy. That solidarity with New York’s Jewish community was repeated in his swearing-in ceremony, where celebrated the city’s diversity by quipping: “Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday?” Mamdani does, however, support bond disinvestment to pressure Israel, and says he does not believe Israel should exist as a “Jewish state.” Israeli officials have long viewed Mamdani with suspicion. Following his election victory in November Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel described the outcome as “deeply concerning,” pointing to Mamdani’s past activism and rhetoric. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu slammed Mamdani’s Jewish supporters, accusing them of having “raised their hands in support of antisemitism in the heart of America.”