Souad Mekhennet wins special prize in the German Nannen Prize series

The Washington Post  covered Souad Mekhennet's win of a German Nannen Prize for her report that followed interviews with high-ranking members of the Islamic State and the terrorist organization Al-Qaida.

Washington Post national security reporter and author Souad Mekhennet has been awarded the STERN magazine editorial board’s special prize as part of the Nannen Prize series. With this award, STERN honors Mekhennet’s accomplishments in her reporting on terrorism. The Nannen Prize is regarded as one of Germany’s most prestigious awards in journalism.

“Souad Mekhennet is one of the few people in the world to have personally interviewed high-ranking members of the Islamic State and the terrorist organization Al-Qaida. Her reports provide valuable insights into what goes on behind the front lines of the Jihad, and into how the commanders and those pulling the strings think. Mekhennet’s aim has always been to understand, and help others understand, the roots of extremism. Through this special prize, we also pay tribute to the immense courage that this work requires,” said Christian Krug, editor-in-chief of STERN.

The Nannen Prize award ceremony will take place in Hamburg on Wednesday, April 11. STERN Digital will broadcast the ceremony at 7pm local time at stern.de.