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Violence by refugees and far-right extremists is darkening political attitudes in Germany

4 hours ago

Germany opened its arms for more than a million refugees in 2015, welcoming Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghanis in an unprecedented act of humanitarianism. But the pressence of so many foreigners has overwhelmed some people in some eastern parts of the country and a far-right party could be the big winner in two state elections on Sepr 1 ... See MoreSee Less

The mood in Germany has darkened this summer amid grisly killings committed by refugees and shootings by right-wing extremists.

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U.S. Ambassador Robert M. Kimmitt reflects on the RIAS Berlin Kommission

1 week ago

For anyone curious about the origins or how RIAS Berlin Commission was created in 1992, take a look at this interview with former U.S. ambassador Robert M. Kimmitt -- who was interviewed recently by RIAS alumni Lane Luckie and an anchor/reporter at KLTV TV in Tyler, Texas. Here are some excerpts: "We realised that as the Cold War ended and American forces started going home that those contacts that were so easy during the Cold War period were not going to be as easy going forward," he said. "....And then we thought 'Can't we use journalists to help tell the story of this new relationship and what better way to honor what RIAS did during the Cold War than to use the RIAS Berlin Commission as a way to have to exchange programs that would amplify the message of this new relationship. I think it was It was an inspiration grown out of the belief and understanding that we needed to find ways to keep Germans and Americans in touch with each other...The great thing about the RIAS commission is that it's taken journalists from all over the United States and all over Germany and put them into a whole variety of different places in both country. I think it's helped us to get to know each other better on a countrywide basis rather than simply using the old channels we had to connect during the Cold War period. I think the great contribution has been to develop a generation and hopefully soon two generations of journalists with a better understanding of each other's country who we hope will have a lifelong interest in continuing to learn...and telling that story, not just to the elites, but to Americans and Germans who don't spend their whole life doing foreign policy work but need to have an understanding of this relationship. ... See MoreSee Less

Robert M. Kimmitt served as U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 1991-1993 and played an important role in the creation of the RIAS Berlin Commission. The bi-nati...

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Rias TV - Tagesschau Bericht 22.8.1988

1 week ago

RIAS TV was launched 31 years ago on August 22, 1988 --just over 14 months before the Berlin Wall fell. It later became Deutsche Welle TV
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQn4Abot5hA ... See MoreSee Less

Start von Rias TV, de.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAS-TV, ARD Tagesschau Bericht

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Welcome to RIAS--Here's what you should know!

1 week ago

Anyone looking for tips on how to get ready for the RIAS Berlin Commission exchange program can take a look at this delightful video put together by a June 2019 participant Larry Miller, an anchor at WUSA9 in Washington DC. ... See MoreSee Less

Getting ready for a trip with RIAS? Here's what you need to know.

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RIAS BERLIN KOMMISSION shared a post.

1 week ago

Before the Wall...

#OnThisDay: Berlin, August 12, 1961. Berliners on the Communist side of the city use the last chance to flee to West Berlin. Carrying only what they are wearing and continuing to run once in the west.

The escapees meet with little reaction from West Berlin's citizens, who continue as usual, but they remain terrified...although no longer in any danger.

It is estimated 3,000 people crossed the border that day.

Overnight the border was sealed with barbed wire.

Construction on a permanent wall, totally encircling West Berlin, began the following Tuesday, August 15, and for the next three decades the city was the centerpiece of the Cold War, as the world's nuclear superpowers faced off across the Wall. ... See MoreSee Less

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