Refugees in their hundreds of thousands are putting their hopes in Germany. They are coming here to escape from war and persecution and to find a better life. But it is more and more difficult for such people to reach the safety of Europe.

Refugees in their hundreds of thousands are putting their hopes in Germany. They are coming here to escape from war and persecution and to find a better life. But it is more and more difficult for such people to reach the safety of Europe.

A growing number of countries have closed their borders to migrants and passed tougher migration laws. Those who do make it to Germany arrive to find a bureaucratic system groaning under the strain.

They also face scepticism, and even outright hostility from some Germans. Populist politicians have whipped up the mood.

Will Germany live up to the hopes of those seeking refuge? Or are Germans and refugees alike heading for disappointment?

Tell us what you think: quadriga(at)dw.com

Our guests:

Amir Musawy, who is the Germany correspondent for Al Iraqia TV. And Amir says: "When you close borders you only tackle a symptom and not the problem. Europe has to face up to causes of this crisis.“

Malaiz Daud, is a political analyst from Afghanistan, who is also a former advisor to the current Afghan President Ashraf Gahni. Malaiz says: “Germany offers something never seen before to many refugees. But some asylum seekers still seem to harbour unrealistic expectations. So, it’s high time to manage those expectations.”

Maissun Melhem born in Syria, came to Germany ten years ago and works now for Deutsche Welle where she also reports on the refugee crisis. She says: "The attacks in Cologne have poisoned the migrant debate. We need a constructive discussion on how best to integrate them."

German Angst - Does Merkel have a Plan B? - There’s no end in sight to Germany’s refugee crisis with between three and four thousand new migrants arriving in the country every day. 60 per cent of Germans now believe Chancellor Merkel no longer has the situation under control.

German Angst - Does Merkel have a Plan B? - There’s no end in sight to Germany’s refugee crisis with between three and four thousand new migrants arriving in the country every day. 60 per cent of Germans now believe Chancellor Merkel no longer has the situation under control.

The New Year’s Eve attacks in Cologne have triggered a bitter public debate.

Send them home, say some. Others want Germany’s borders closed.

Angela Merkel is under massive pressure.

Can she survive the biggest test of her career? And does she have a Plan B?

Tell us what you think: quadriga(at)dw.com

Our guests:

Judy Dempsey currently works as a Senior Associate at Carnegie Europe and editor-in-chief of Strategic Europe. She says: “For the first time since becoming Chancellor in 2005, Merkel has a plan. It is to rescue Europe from falling apart. The problem and paradox is that it is a plan without support from the other EU member states.”

Alan Posener is an Anglo-German author and regular commentator for the Berlin based newspaper “Die Welt”. He thinks: “Merkel never had a plan. Not for the Euro crisis, not for the refugee crisis. Not for dealing with populism in Germany and across Europe.”

Erik Kirschbaum has worked for Reuters and is currently a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times in Berlin. He says: “Usually Angela Merkel has things figured out with the end result in mind. This time she doesn't seem to have had an end in mind and that could cost her and her conservative party dearly this year.”

After Istanbul - Are IS Attacks in Germany Inevitable?

At least ten German tourists have been killed in a suicide attack in the heart of Istanbul. Ahead of the bombing, Turkish intelligence had warned Germany of impending IS attacks on foreign tourists. Germany is part of the international coalition against IS: was this bombing an act of revenge?

As Turkey warns of more attacks, possibly in Germany, it is clear that terrorism is no longer a distant threat.

Our guests:

Alan Posener - is an Anglo-German author and regular commentator for the Berlin based newspaper “Die Welt”. He says: "There's no way to protect against terror. But we need more police and more surveillance."

Değer Akal - is a Berlin-based freelance journalist who has worked in the Turkish capital Ankara as a correspondent for various newspapers and TV channels. She is currently an editor at DW's Turkish desk. She says: “Despite differences, Turkey and Germany need each other, more than ever.”

Seyran Ateş - is a German lawyer and author from a Turkish-Kurdish background who writes about integration, Islam and women's rights. She says: "Terrorist organizations are now so large that we have to fight them with military might.”

After Istanbul - Are IS Attacks in Germany Inevitable?

At least ten German tourists have been killed in a suicide attack in the heart of Istanbul. Ahead of the bombing, Turkish intelligence had warned Germany of impending IS attacks on foreign tourists. Germany is part of the international coalition against IS: was this bombing an act of revenge?

As Turkey warns of more attacks, possibly in Germany, it is clear that terrorism is no longer a distant threat.

Our guests:

Alan Posener - is an Anglo-German author and regular commentator for the Berlin based newspaper “Die Welt”. He says: "There's no way to protect against terror. But we need more police and more surveillance."

Değer Akal - is a Berlin-based freelance journalist who has worked in the Turkish capital Ankara as a correspondent for various newspapers and TV channels. She is currently an editor at DW's Turkish desk. She says: “Despite differences, Turkey and Germany need each other, more than ever.”

Seyran Ateş - is a German lawyer and author from a Turkish-Kurdish background who writes about integration, Islam and women's rights. She says: "Terrorist organizations are now so large that we have to fight them with military might.”

Crunch Year 2016 - Can the EU Survive?

Crunch Year 2016 - Can the EU Survive?

The new year has hardly begun and already, the EU is facing new crises.

More and more member states are abandoning Schengen and reimposing border controls. Poland's new nationalist government is rapidly curtailing democratic freedoms. Indeed, nationalist and Eurosceptic parties are gaining ground in many EU countries.

Is 2016 set to be a crunch year for the EU? What common glue holds the union together?

Share your views with us: quadriga(at)dw.com

Our guests:

Wojciech Szymanski is the Germany correspondent for the Polish public radio Polskie Radio. He thinks: “The European Union faces great challenges in 2016. The new conservative government in Warsaw will not make it easier for the EU.”

Alan Posener is a commentator for the Berlin daily Die Welt. He thinks: “Europe should not try to defend Poland's democracy against the Poles, open Sweden's borders against the Swedes and Reform Greece against the Greeks. If the EU continues down this road, Britain will leave, and others will follow.”

Judy Dempsey is a senior associate at Carnegie Europe and editor-in-chief of Strategic Europe. She says: “The recent changes by the new Polish government are a very bad signal both for the EU and for Europe’s Eastern neighbors.”

For decades, Saudi Arabia has been one of the West’s key strategic partners in the Middle East. Now though there are growing doubts about the alliance.

The Regime in Riyadh is supporting jihadist groups in a host of countries. It cracks down hard on anybody who speaks out against it. Also: the brutal Saudi intervention in Yemen is further destabilizing the region.

Is Saudi Arabia turning out to be a false friend for the West?

Share your views with us: quadriga(at)dw.com

Our guests:

Michael Thumann is a diplomatic correspondent for the German weekly Die Zeit. His reporting focuses on the Middle East and he recently came back from a research trip to Saudi Arabia. He believes that: “The fight against ISIS cannot be won without the support of Saudi Arabia.”

Judy Dempsey is a Senior Associate with Carnegie Europe and editor-in-chief of Strategic Europe. She says: “There is a well-worn maxim: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Saudi Arabia fits into this context.”

Ursula Weidenfeld is a renowned business commentator, and she’s clearly concerned about what goes on inside Saudi Arabia: “Beheadings, beatings and other human rights abuses are what Riyadh uses to keep the people under control,” she says. And asks: “So is Saudia Arabia the right kind of partner in the battle against terrorism?

For decades, Saudi Arabia has been one of the West’s key strategic partners in the Middle East. Now though there are growing doubts about the alliance.

The Regime in Riyadh is supporting jihadist groups in a host of countries. It cracks down hard on anybody who speaks out against it. Also: the brutal Saudi intervention in Yemen is further destabilizing the region.

Is Saudi Arabia turning out to be a false friend for the West?

Share your views with us: quadriga(at)dw.com

Our guests:

Michael Thumann is a diplomatic correspondent for the German weekly Die Zeit. His reporting focuses on the Middle East and he recently came back from a research trip to Saudi Arabia. He believes that: “The fight against ISIS cannot be won without the support of Saudi Arabia.”

Judy Dempsey is a Senior Associate with Carnegie Europe and editor-in-chief of Strategic Europe. She says: “There is a well-worn maxim: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Saudi Arabia fits into this context.”

Ursula Weidenfeld is a renowned business commentator, and she’s clearly concerned about what goes on inside Saudi Arabia: “Beheadings, beatings and other human rights abuses are what Riyadh uses to keep the people under control,” she says. And asks: “So is Saudia Arabia the right kind of partner in the battle against terrorism?