frozen snapshot — 2026-08-12 · see today →
more minds
Friedrich Merz

What's on Friedrich Merz's mind?

read fresh this morning at 6
26%21%17%13%23%
the deal with the Taliban 26% · newnew powers for the spies 21% · newthe drones over Germany 17% confidence at rock bottom 13% · neweverything else 23%
#1
Merz Shakes Hands With Kabul

Berlin signs a deportation arrangement with the Taliban; Afghan dissidents living in Germany say they are the ones who will pay for it.

Under far-right pressure, Merz signs deal with Taliban in shock for Afghan dissidents

Firstpost · 2026-08-12
our translation

he would rather be photographed dealing with the taliban than lose another point to the afd. the deal is addressed to german voters, not to kabul.

new — Two outlets broke the Taliban deal todaypretty sure · 2 sources
#2
German Intelligence Gets a Longer Leash
new — Politico and Bloomberg both report todayvery sure · 2 sources
#3
The Drones Keep Turning Up
Le Monde revisits the incursionspretty sure · 1 source
#4
Nobody Trusts Anybody
new — New all-time-low poll published todaypretty sure · 1 source
wednesday, august 12
Sign off on the intelligence services' new powers package(reported)
Answer 'did you negotiate with the Taliban?' without saying yes(reported)
Skip the polling page of the morning press review(safe bet)

rebuilt from the public schedule, pool reports & old habits — the rest is educated guessing

The source

Putin threat pushes Germany to give spies major new powers

news.google.com · 2026-08-12

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