Right-wing populist parties are everywhere in Europe. But in Germany, home to controversial Islamophobe Thilo Sarrazin, the right side of the political spectrum is decidedly vacant. Why?

In Washington, the Israelis and Palestinians are discussing peace, but in the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, construction is proceeding at full speed. A legal ban is being ignored and the government is looking away. The thousands of new homes could hinder reconciliation.

Following his disparaging comments in the media and a new book that is highly critical of Muslim immigrants, it is expected that Thilo Sarrazin will lose his seat on the board of Germany's central bank. Commentators at the country's leading newspapers examine the integration issues he has raised and wonder if the pressure to fire Sarrazin will harm the Bundesbank's independence.

Has US policy become too European in its approach to fighting the crisis? A German economist's criticism of President Obama's European-style stimulus package has prompted a flood of letters from SPIEGEL ONLINE readers. Here's a selection of the best comments.