The German government's reaction was predictable, says Hans-Jakob Schindler, a Middle East expert with the international organization Counter Extremism Project. Germany plays only a secondary role in the Middle East conflict and is unable to actively mediate. "Certainly, one could offer to do so. But now the direct negotiations between the US and the Iranians are crucial," Schindler told DW. "The negotiating format of the past—Germany, France, Great Britain, and the US with the Iranians—is no longer part of this formula. Unfortunately, the Europeans are now more spectators than actors in this conflict."

Terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project draws attention to another risk. "Federal police officers could now be the last barrier to preventing attacks," said Schindler in an interview with this editorial team. Large train stations and airports are always potential targets for terrorists and extremists, according to the expert: "Because a lot of people often come together there. That's why there are special security measures for train stations." Any relocation of personnel from such places to the borders is therefore risky.

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed: "Extremism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler says, while the perpetrator of the German Christmas market attack had been uniquely radicalised, they have been becoming more common since COVID-19."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Scindler interviewed: "Syria remains a dangerous refuge for Islamist fighters – despite shifts in power, the HTS militia controls large areas, radical foreigners continue to incite hatred online, recruit for jihad, and could also threaten Europe."

Terrorism expert Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler [CEP Senior Director] describes the Solingen terrorist attack as a "classic IS attack scenario." A considerable number of ideological extremists have carried out attacks over the past year—Schindler assesses the danger as "quite high."

Terrorism expert Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler [CEP Senior Director] describes the Solingen terrorist attack as a "classic IS attack scenario." A considerable number of ideological extremists have carried out attacks over the past year—Schindler assesses the danger as "quite high."

The Berlin-based think tank "Counter Extremism Project" (CEP) also reports on the case in a recent policy paper on the situation of detainees in north-east Syria. According to the paper, the man had been married to a German woman who has since returned to Germany and been convicted according to Islamic rites. Analyst Sofia Koller, one of the authors of the paper, told SWR: "The fact that a second German apparently died in Kurdish captivity not only shows the poor prison conditions on the ground, but also the extensive inaction of German authorities." For example, Mohammad A.'s family was apparently only informed of his death a year later. The first death in prison in north-east Syria had already become known in 2020 thanks to a report in the Bild newspaper.

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed about the arrest of a right-wing extremist terror cell in Germany.