Author, Managing Director
Berlin
Portraits, social reports, politics in Germany and the Middle East
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Life
Born 1970, from Aurich/East Frisia. Studied Islamic Studies and Middle East History in Hamburg, Beirut, and Tel Aviv. Worked as a country specialist at the Near and Middle East Association in Hamburg, completed a traineeship at the Axel Springer School of Journalism, and subsequently worked for two years as a political editor at The world. Early 2005 switch to World on Sunday, two and a half years of parliamentarycorrespondent for the CDU, CSU, and FDP. In May 2007, a member of a developmenteditor at Axel Springer AG, at Zeitenspiegel since January 2008, and part of the management team since the end of 2024.
Awards
Projects
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Christoph Püschner, Jan Rübel, ReportageIn the hotel of others
Photographer Christoph Püschner, Author Jan Rübel
Published in „People“, December 1, 2025A company in Augsburg succeeds in what was declared impossible in Germany: a true coexistence of people with and without disabilities.
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Jan Rübel, ReportageNot with me
Author Jan Rübel, Photographer Brian Otieno
Published in „FR7 – Magazine of the Frankfurter Rundschau“ on November 8, 2025Kenya's Gen Z will have fewer children. An opportunity for the country, as families will have more money left over for education and healthcare. But this requires good jobs for young people – and confident women who drive progress. Can the turnaround succeed?
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Jan Rübel, Reportage, Sascha MontagNow I am speaking
Photographer Sascha Montag, Author Jan Rübel
Published in „Publik-Forum“, 09/15/2025Those who don't have a roof over their heads have no lobby. But now homeless people want to represent themselves. However, that is easier said than done.
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Jan Rübel, Reportage, Sascha MontagHis Second Life
Photographer Sascha Montag and author Jan Rübel
Published in „Stern“, May 15, 2025As a toddler, Tristan Meier suffered abuse and violence. Authorities placed him in a foster home. No one paid attention to him; no one saw his injuries. Until a couple took him in.
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Jan Rübel, ReportageTales of Hoffmann
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Jan Rübel, ReportageWhen pious Saxons vote
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Jan Rübel, Reportage, Sascha MontagThe certainty of the street
Photographer Sascha Montag, Author Jan Rübel
Published in „Stern“, 11.21.2024Poverty in Germany has been increasing for years. Politicians have no real plan. But in East Frisia, an anti-poverty commissioner is now fighting against frustration.
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Jan Rübel, ReportageThe Stones of Burj Hammud
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Jan Rübel, ReportageParty of individual cases
Author Jan Rübel
Published in „Publik-Forum,“ May 22, 2024Espionage and corruption for regimes like those in China and Russia – the AfD must face these accusations. However, a look back shows: the party does not need Putin and Xi for its leaning towards authoritarianism.
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Jan Rübel, ReportageBerlin is also just a village
Author Jan Rübel
Published in FR7, magazine of the „Frankfurter Rundschau,“ April 27, 2024Berlin is not a metropolis like London or Paris. Our capital is distinguished by other things: a pleasant amount of coziness and coffee. A stroll through unfamiliar provincialism.
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Analyze, Jan RübelThe DITIB and Antisemitism
Author Jan Rübel
Published in „Antisemitism in and from Turkey,“ collected volume, Hamburg 2023Antisemitism in and from Turkey is an old and new topic – though rather unknown in Germany. A work edited by Corry Guttstadt and to which Zeitenspiegel author Jan Rübel contributed a chapter is dedicated to this phenomenon: How does the largest Islamic organization, DITIB, deal with antisemitism? An assessment.
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Jan Rübel, Reportage, Sascha MontagIngo
Photographer Sascha Montag, Author Jan Rübel
Published in „FR7“, magazine of the „Frankfurter Rundschau“, April 13, 2024First, the GDR teaches him to fear. In 1984, political prisoner Ingo Bauer, 22, escaped to the West – beginning decades filled with burglaries and alcohol, more prison, and finally homelessness. Then, he was offered a solidarity basic income and a tiny house. By someone who left to learn freedom. And perished in it.