Guy Degen in Germany
Mountain minefield rescue at night in Iraqi-Kurdistan
I couldn't leave him there. He was going to die.Over a hubbly bubbly and sweet chay in Dohuk this week I met Faris Zubair Ali - a highly experienced deminer and Operations Manager for the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency. ...
The beginning of Germany's other season
While Britain, France, Belgium and Commonwealth countries commemorate Remembrance Day and the end of WWI on November 11, something quite different happens in Germany. At 11 minutes past 11 am on November 11, the traditional celebrations begin for Carnival (Karneval)...
Better get your mojo working
"News Quoyle, news. Better get your mojo working." - Annie Proulx, The Shipping NewsA draft of this post has been loitering in my documents folder for a while. But six months on from when I...
Germany's grand colour coalition election
It's supposed to be a Superwahljahr - a super election year in Germany.Yes, we've seen many elections of the state and city variety, but you could hardly describe the campaign leading up to Sunday's general election as "super".And why? Well...
Summer and something of a seaside independence
Earlier in August I had the opportunity to film in Abkhazia with Matthew Collin - Al Jazeera's correspondent in Georgia and fellow Frontline blogger. It's now one year since Russia recognised Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as...
Desert night hike to meet Baluch guerillas
While people who fled from the fighting in the Swat Valley begin travelling back to their homes, another conflict in Pakistan is often overlooked. The south-western province of Baluchistan makes up nearly half of the country. It's capital Quetta...
Cross of honour and debate
Four soldiers have received Germany's new medal for bravery for their actions in Afghanistan - the first German military decorations awarded for bravery on the battlefield since WWII. It's known as the Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit or Cross of...
Presidential wrestling in UB
Shouldn't all presidential inauguration celebrations include a wrestling competition? Last Thursday Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj was sworn in as Mongolia's new President. Along with a military parade in Ulan Bator's Sukhbaatar Square opposite Parliament, there was a concert staged at the Cultural...
Guy Degen in Germany
Guy Degen is an Australian freelance journalist and lives in Germany. He travels widely contributing stories to international broadcasters and...