Our Mission
The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) is an interdisciplinary research center at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn in the field of strategic foresight, European and security policy research. Committed to the approach "Global Challenges Need European Responses", CASSIS contributes in interdisciplinary and inter-institutional work to develop, evaluate and publicly discuss European strategies to current challenges in the field of foreign and security policy.
Our Partners
Since 2019, CASSIS has developed into an important platform for the transfer of academic expertise and knowledge on pressing strategic topics both to the academic and non-academic audiences through a range of our research and high-profile teaching and event formats. While doing so, we were able to receive invaluable support from our great partners. CASSIS is very grateful to their support and we are proud to be well connected to many wonderful institutions. Together with our valued and trusted partners, we are able to foster discussions on matters of strategic importance near and abroad and jointly conduct and advance important research projects.
Current
Dossier Ukraine
The experts of CASSIS offer in various formats from their interdisciplinary perspectives classification and analysis on the Russian attack on Ukraine and its background.
© CASSIS
© CASSIS
The International Security Forum Bonn
The International Security Forum Bonn (ISFB) serves as a platform to convene distinguished international experts and practitioners of security and foreign policy to debate the future of transatlantic relations and key challenges in international politics. Held almost annually since 2016, the ISFB is the most important international security conference in North Rhine-Westphalia and all neighboring German federal states.
Our Focus
The content focus of CASSIS is, on the one hand, on the interdisciplinary engagement with traditional foreign and security policy topics such as interstate conflicts, competing international order systems, and a return of geopolitics, and on the other hand, on non-traditional security challenges related to space, cyber, climate, and energy security, terrorism, and human security.
© pixy.org
© NASA
Integrated Security and Global Sustainability
Lead: Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Hilz
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie
© Juliana Kozoski/Unsplash
Security and Strategy Research
Henry Kissinger Professorship for Security and Strategy Research
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie
© Unsplash
Global Infrastructures
Politics and Governance of Global Infrastructures
Lead:
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer
© Evgeny Feldman
Challenge East - Handlungsstrategien der Europäer in der östlichen Nachbarschaft
Lead: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Hilz Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder
© CASSIS
"Was wird?"-Podcast
At irregular intervals, CASSIS also hosts the "Was wird?"-podcast, together with Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and Michael Krons.
News
Why Did Germany Sign the Artemis Accords? An Analysis of Multilateralism in Space Policy
The Young Academics: Outer Space series, edited by Dr. Antje Nötzold, Dr. Enrico Fels, Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nina Klimburg-Witjes, highlights the growing importance of space utilization for politics, economics, and society. It covers social science disciplines such as political science, sociology, ethics, technology assessment, and law. The aim is to provide young academics with a platform to publish their contributions on space utilization. The series places particular emphasis on theoretical foundations, interdisciplinary analyses, and critical assessments of the strategic challenges and implications of space utilization.
Stellenausschreibung für eine Studentische oder Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft
Die Junior-Professur für Internationale Beziehungen und globale Technologiepolitik sucht zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt (befristet bis 31.8.2026 mit Aussicht auf Verlängerung) eine studentische oder wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft (8 h/Woche). Die Position dient der inhaltlichen und organisatorischen Unterstützung der Lehre und Forschung an der Junior-Professur für Internationale Beziehungen und globale Technologiepolitik.
Stellenausschreibung für eine Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft
Die Junior-Professur für Internationale Beziehungen und globale Technologiepolitik sucht zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt (befristet bis 31.8.2026 mit Aussicht auf Verlängerung) eine wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft (8 h/Woche). Die Position dient der inhaltlichen und organisatorischen Unterstützung der Lehre und Forschung an der Junior-Professur für Internationale Beziehungen und globale Technologiepolitik.
CASSIS congratulates Prof. Dr. Christine Schirrmacher on appointment to BMI advisory board
The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) warmly congratulates Prof. Dr. Christine Schirrmacher on her appointment to the newly established “Advisory Group on Preventing and Combating Islamism” of the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
International Security Forum Bonn features a highly distinguished line-up
From 29 October to 1 November, the city of Bonn will once again host the high-profile “International Security Forum Bonn” (ISFB), bringing together internationally renowned experts and practitioners from the fields of security, strategy, and foreign policy to discuss the future of transatlantic relations and key global challenges.This year’s main themes are the transformation of European security dynamics and space policy.
CASSIS Bonn and GSP e.V. sign cooperation agreement
The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn and the German Society for Security Policy (GSP) have signed a cooperation agreement to deepen their collaboration in the field of security policy education, information, and communication.
Policy brief on the EU's hydrogen pathway
Based on the report “H2 Reality Check – Reappraising the EU's H2 Strategy in a New Era of Geopolitical Disruptions,” CASSIS has published an EU Policy Brief that summarizes the weaknesses and risks of the current EU hydrogen strategy in an evidence-based and practical manner while also providing concrete proposals for a more resilient energy policy.
Tech Middle Power Cooperation and Workarounding
The dataset provides a comprehensive overview of cooperation initiatives involving 24 tech middle powers and 32 additional partner countries between 1990 and July 2025. It covers projects across eight world regions, with collaborations involving the United States or China deliberately excluded. The findings clearly show that the strategy of workarounding is gaining momentum worldwide. A more in-depth analysis will be presented in the edited volume Workarounding: Tech Middle Power Cooperation in a Turbulent World, edited by Maximilian Mayer, Gedaliah Afterman, Narayanappa Janardhan, and Laura Mahrenbach, to be published later this year by Palgrave Macmillan.
Current Media Contributions
Dr. Joachim Weber discusses European security and defense policy on the “Phoenix Runde” roundtable
Dr. Joachim Weber took part in the latest edition of Phoenix runde on December 3. Together with Stefanie Babst, Moritz Gathmann, and Anja Wehler-Schöck, he discussed the security policy implications of the war in Ukraine, current negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia, and necessary developments in European security and defense policy.
Dr. Joachim Weber on the Tagesthemen discussing European efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine
On December 1, Dr. Joachim Weber appeared on Tagesthemen to discuss the current diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine on the occasion of the meeting between Russian President Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Dr. Joachim Weber on n-tv discussing the European defense industry
In an interview with n-tv on December 1, Dr. Joachim Weber commented on the new SIPRI study, whose findings illustrate a significant increase in European defense spending.
Dr. Joachim Weber comments on the state of German-Polish relations on Phoenix der tag
In an interview with Phoenix der tag on December 1, 2025, Dr. Joachim Weber shed light on current German-Polish relations.
Dr. Frank Umbach comments on the status of negotiations on Ukraine at Phoenix vor Ort
On December 1, Dr. Frank Umbach assessed Europe's role in the current negotiations on the war in Ukraine in an interview with Phoenix vor Ort.
Interview with Prof. Kronenberg on Deutschlandfunk about Merz's speech during the general debate in the Bundestag
On November 26, Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg analyzed Chancellor Friedrich Merz's speech in the general debate of the Bundestag on Deutschlandfunk radio.
Dr. Joachim Weber at Phoenix der tag discussing further developments in the “peace plan” for Ukraine
In an interview with Phoenix der tag on November 25, Dr. Joachim Weber commented on the latest developments regarding the so-called “peace plan” for Ukraine.
Dr. Joachim Weber at Phoenix vor ort on the Russian-American 28-point plan for Ukraine
On November 21, Dr. Joachim Weber assessed the Russian-American 28-point plan to end the war in Ukraine at Phoenix vor ort.
Events
CASSIS offers a wide range of events on current foreign and security policy issues.
© CASSIS
Upcoming events
2025: A review of security policies
Online event
06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
As part of the Franco-German Strategic Dialogue, two renowned experts from France and Germany will jointly assess foreign and security policy developments in ...
Past events
Russian Occupation Policy: Forced Conversion and Terror
Festsaal der Universität ...
05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
What form does Russian rule over the occupied Ukrainian territories take—and what means are used to secure it? What goals is Moscow pursuing with its ...
Two years after October 7 - Israel's strategic situation
Moltke Hall, Federal ...
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Recent developments have given rise to cautious optimism that the war against Israel unleashed by Hamas two years ago, with its devastating consequences for ...
Hypersonic - game changer or overrated technology?
Genscherallee 3, 53113 ...
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
The lecture will begin by reviewing the technical and physical fundamentals of hypersonic systems in order to establish a common understanding of the ...
The Future Role of Ukraine in a Secure Europe
Institut Français Bonn, ...
06:15 PM - 07:45 PM
As part of the German-French Strategic Dialogue, our panel of experts will examine the current situation in Ukraine, the changing security landscape in Europe, ...
Current Scientific Publications
Why Did Germany Sign the Artemis Accords? An Analysis of Multilateralism in Space Policy
The Young Academics: Outer Space series, edited by Dr. Antje Nötzold, Dr. Enrico Fels, Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nina Klimburg-Witjes, highlights the growing importance of space utilization for politics, economics, and society. It covers social science disciplines such as political science, sociology, ethics, technology assessment, and law. The aim is to provide young academics with a platform to publish their contributions on space utilization. The series places particular emphasis on theoretical foundations, interdisciplinary analyses, and critical assessments of the strategic challenges and implications of space utilization.
“Research Security” in Germany and the United States
The authors investigate the concept of "research security" in the context of rising geopolitical tensions, comparing how it is implemented in Germany and the US. The study focuses on how research security is framed and put into practice within science policy, showing that greater attention to the topic does not necessarily lead to securitization.
Essay: "The failure of 'Never again'?"
In his essay, James D. Bindenagel examines the development and current threat to the “never again” promise. The essay was published in the volume “Wenn das Gestern anklopft. Weimar und die Wiederkehr der Geschichte,” edited by Philipp Ruch and Thomas Weber, himself a fellow at CASSIS.
The Digitalisation of Memory Practices in China
On September 25, 2025, Maximilian Mayer and Frederik Schmitz published "The Digitalisation of Memory Practices in China: Contesting the Curating State." at Bristol University Press. The volume was supported by TRA 5 Present Pasts and provides the first comprehensive analysis of how memory and heritage in China is being reshaped in the digital age.
Read more here.
Tech Middle Power Cooperation and Workarounding
The dataset provides a comprehensive overview of cooperation initiatives involving 24 tech middle powers and 32 additional partner countries between 1990 and July 2025. It covers projects across eight world regions, with collaborations involving the United States or China deliberately excluded. The findings clearly show that the strategy of workarounding is gaining momentum worldwide. A more in-depth analysis will be presented in the edited volume Workarounding: Tech Middle Power Cooperation in a Turbulent World, edited by Maximilian Mayer, Gedaliah Afterman, Narayanappa Janardhan, and Laura Mahrenbach, to be published later this year by Palgrave Macmillan.
Chinas Anspruch auf eine neue Weltordnung
Nadine Godehardt and Maximilian Mayer analyze China’s foreign policy, using the 2025 SCO summit in Tianjin as an example, where Xi Jinping presented his Global Governance Initiative (GGI) and organized numerous bilateral meetings. At the core lies China’s attempt to establish an alternative world order through multilateral structures and bilateral networks, distinct from Western-liberal principles. While Beijing emphasizes equality, sovereignty, and win-win cooperation, it employs these narratives to consolidate its own power and expand zones of influence with imperial characteristics. For Germany and Europe, this underscores the need to address not only trade-related issues but also China’s global ambitions in a more strategic way.
Fourth edition of the textbook: "Theorien der Internationalen Beziehungen"
The fourth edition of the textbook "Theorien der Internationalen Beziehungen", edited by Prof. Dr. Xuewu Gu and PD Dr. Hendrik W. Ohnesorge, provides an introduction to the political science discipline of international relations. It systematically presents the most important theoretical approaches in the discipline and discusses the latest developments. The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies warmly congratulates both authors on this outstanding academic achievement.
Germany: A late Wake-up Call on Russia's Hybrid Warfare Strategies
Dr. Frank Umbach analyzes Germany’s response to escalating Russian hybrid warfare and the resulting overhaul of its critical-infrastructure security policies.
CASSIS - Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn