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 2023
From 19 October to 22 October 2023, ISFB will be held for the eighth time in person on the premises of the University of Excellence Bonn as the most important international security conference in North Rhine-Westphalia and all neighboring 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
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Global Infrastructures
Politics and Governance of Global Infrastructures
Lead:
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer
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Challenge East - Handlungsstrategien der Europäer in der östlichen Nachbarschaft
Lead: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Hilz Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder
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"Was wird?"-Podcast
At irregular intervals, CASSIS also hosts the "Was wird?"-podcast, together with Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and Michael Krons.
News
CASSIS congratulates the founding of TILLER ALPHA GmbH
The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) warmly congratulates the founding of TILLER ALPHA GmbH, a pioneering initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of international research infrastructures through artificial intelligence.
Dr. Enrico Fels as a guest at Future Lounge #42: New security order in and for Europe
On 7 May 2025, Dr. Enrico Fels, Managing Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn, took part in the 42nd edition of the Futures Lounge of D2030. Under the title “New Security Order in and for Europe - Perspectives and Potentials”, he discussed the future of European security policy together with Dr. Sarah Pagung (Körber Foundation) and Dr. Olaf Theiler (Bundeswehr Planning Office).
Review of the Event ‘Neustart: The Next Federal Government Facing Major Challenges’
To kick off the new legislative period, an interdisciplinary panel discussion on 24 April highlighted key political challenges and future issues for Germany. The focus was on setting the course for domestic and foreign policy, dealing with populist forces and Germany's role in Europe and the world. The event was organised by the Henry Kissinger Professorship at CASSIS at the University of Bonn.
The Sino-Russian alliance and the return of the power blocs: Mao and Stalin’s long shadows?
On March 27, 2025, the Academy of International Affairs, in collaboration with the University of Cologne (Chair of Modern China Studies), the University of Bonn (CASSIS), and the Jahrbuch für Historische Kommunismusforschung, hosted a panel discussion titled "The Sino-Russian Alliance and the Return of Power Blocs: Mao and Stalin’s Long Shadows?"
Publication of the Report by CASSIS of the University of Bonn and the EWI of the University of Cologne
Hydrogen is considered an important part of the EU's and Germany's climate neutrality strategy. Significant progress is required for the ramp-up, otherwise the targets might not be met. A report by CASSIS and EWI analyses the status of the ramp-up.
Final Conference Forschungsprojekt „H2 Reality Check“
Review of the Final Conference of the Research Project H2 Reality Check
CASSIS and Democratic Resilience Center (DRC) agree on interdisciplinary research partnership
The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and the Democratic Resilience Center (DRC) at the Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg signed a letter of intent on 10 March 2025. With the signing by the chancellors of the two universities, Holger Gottschalk (Bonn) and Axel Puckhaber (Hamburg), and the spokespersons of the two research centers, Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg (CASSIS) and Prof. Dr. Gary S. Schaal (DRC), a research partnership was agreed, initially for a period of three years. The collaboration is guided by the CASSIS vision of meeting global challenges with European solutions and the DRC's mission of promoting resilient and robust democratic societies.
'What Will Happen?' podcast with Professor Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and journalist Michael Krons
How could the war against Ukraine end? What are the effects of Trump's rapprochement with Putin, and how realistic are security guarantees? These are the topics discussed in 'What Will Happen? Controversies and Foresight.'
Current Media Contributions
Erst handeln, dann verfeinern Im technologiebegeisterten China verbreitet sich KI mit beispielloser Geschwindigkeit
In this article, Maximilian Mayer and Ningjie Zhu argue that Chinese AI startup Deepseek is at the center of a profound technological change. Although the performance of its language model is controversial, the decision to make the program code openly available free of charge has triggered an AI revolution in China.
Frank Umbach on phoenix: “Meloni is an important voice for the transatlantic partnership”
Studio discussion with Frank Umbach (CASSIS, University of Bonn) and others on the press conference “Weimar Plus” talks on Ukraine.
Frank Umbach on phoenix: “Signal to Moscow is catastrophic”
Studio discussion with Frank Umbach (CASSIS, University of Bonn) on the state visit to Ukraine by Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) and Volodymyr Selenskyj (President of Ukraine).
Dr. Moritz Brake at FAZ: Europe’s Future is Being Secured at Sea
In an article for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Moritz Brake, Senior Fellow at CASSIS, outlines how NATO’s “Baltops 2025” naval exercise underscores the growing importance of maritime security for Europe’s future.
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie at TRT Global: As Merz gets set for Trump meeting
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie, Henry Kissinger Professor for Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Bonn, sees Chancellor Merz’s trip to Washington as an opportunity—only if substance follows symbolism and Europe steps up security commitments.
Dr. Moritz Brake at Formiche.net: What lies behind the face‑off between Moscow’s and NATO’s fleets in the Baltic
Dr. Moritz Brake, Senior Fellow at CASSIS, warns in Formiche.net about the risk of unintended clashes between Russian and NATO fleets in the Baltic and views Russian provocations as aggressive asymmetric tests.
Ali Fathollah-Nejad on KAS online: U.S.–Iran Talks Reach Critical Stage
Negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have reached a turning point. While Washington's position continues to evolve, Tehran remains largely unwilling to make concessions. With the next round of talks approaching, a resolution remains elusive.
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie on the NATO meeting in April 2025 on WDR
Following Donald Trump's re-election, transatlantic cooperation faces its greatest test yet. In an interview with WDR, Prof. Ulrich Schlie warns that Europe can no longer rely on the US. NATO is under pressure – now Germany must show strategic backbone and take responsibility.
Events
CASSIS offers a wide range of events on current foreign and security policy issues.
© CASSIS
Upcoming events
Prevention: How resilient is our country in times of crisis?
Bonner Universitätsforum
06:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Securing Germany's independence and sovereignty in times of crisis is a joint task for the federal and state governments. In the face of growing threats - from ...
The Empire Strikes Back, or at Least It Tries
Hörsaal XIII, main ...
06:15 PM - 07:45 PM
The lecture will be held by Dr. Tim Zajontz and is part of the lecture series "Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age".
Maintaining ...
From the turning point to the epochal change - Quo vadis Germany?
Festsaal (main building) ...
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
With its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has abandoned the basic principles of a
rules-based order and also intends to divide the West. ...
Islamism in scientific discourses & delegitimization
digital
07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Islamism is one of the greatest challenges facing democracy today. Not because Islamist groups necessarily threaten violence, but because the aim of Islamist ...
Past events
100 years of the Locarno Treaties - the dream of peace
Gustav Stresemann ...
06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
In 2025, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Locarno Treaties, which were intended to create the basis for peace in Europe after the First ...
"Big AI" and Cloud Infrastructure Dependence
Hörsaal XIII, main ...
06:15 PM - 07:45 PM
The lecture will be held by Prof. Dr. Fernando Van Der Vlist and is part of the lecture series "Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital ...
France's nuclear umbrella: Europe's new security foundation?
Onlineseminar
06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
In view of geopolitical tensions and a changing security architecture, the question of European defense is coming into focus. The Franco-German Strategic ...
Financial Infrastructures with Chinese Characteristics
Hörsaal XIII, main ...
06:15 PM - 07:45 PM
The lecture will be held by Dr. Johannes Petry and is part of the lecture series "Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age".
This ...
Current Scientific Publications
Global structures of digital dependence and the rise of technopoles
In their article published in New Political Economy, Maximilian Mayer and Yen-Chi Lu examine global patterns of digital dependency, highlighting how the United States and China, as key “technopoles,” possess significant technological sovereignty and strategically use digital infrastructures as instruments of power. Using the Digital Dependence Index (DDI), they develop a conceptual and data-driven model that reveals dependency structures across the areas of hardware, platforms, and patents. Theoretically, the study draws on approaches from international relations, international political economy, and concepts of structural dependency to analyze the geopolitical implications of digital asymmetries.
Connectivity and ‘Reglobalization’: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its Potential Digital Future
Dr. Gedaliah Afterman, Dr. N. Janardhan, Mohammed Baharoon & Dr. Maximilian Mayer argue that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) remains a strategic opportunity for driving economic growth, promoting technological collaboration, and serving as a platform for regional stabilization. The authors also stress that such initiatives have the potential to bolster middle powers and an inter- and trans-regional approach, thus mitigating U.S.-China bipolarism and fragmentation.
Publication of the Report by CASSIS of the University of Bonn and the EWI of the University of Cologne
Hydrogen is considered an important part of the EU's and Germany's climate neutrality strategy. Significant progress is required for the ramp-up, otherwise the targets might not be met. A report by CASSIS and EWI analyses the status of the ramp-up.
After NATO — the way forward
Emilian Kavalski and Maximilian Mayer write about the growing rift between Europe and the United States, drawing parallels between Winston Churchill’s contradictory views on America and the current strategic dilemmas facing Europe. While publicly advocating for a strong Anglo-American alliance, Churchill privately viewed the U.S. as an unreliable and self-interested partner—an argument that resonates today as the Trump administration actively undermines European security. In response, the authors call for Europe to pursue an independent defense strategy, moving away from reliance on the U.S. and toward a new security architecture.
Election campaign in focus: Disinformation and the Bundestag election 2025
The upcoming Bundestag election is threatened by foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining trust in the democratic process. Russia, in particular, is relying on manipulated content and targeted influence on public opinion. Security authorities are responding with various measures to counter this threat.
Enhancing European Space Access: Fostering Innovation Ecosystems to Strengthen EU Space Capabilities
The relevance of the space sector will continue to increase in the future. Against the backdrop of the current geopolitical power shifts, the EU faces the challenge of developing a sustainable and robust strategy for the development of its own space capabilities. In the new CASSIS Policy Paper, Ulrich Schlie, Gregory Tutton and Philip Schäfer analyze the EU's strategic position in space and provide suggestions and impulses for improving Europe's space capabilities.
Follow-Up: Global Health in Crisis
Maximilian Schranner highlights the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) under Donald Trump, which represents less an unexpected break and more a continuation of the ongoing weakening of international health structures. In light of this development, the new federal government must acknowledge these new realities and work with international partners to establish a minimal global health protection framework.
U.S.-China Digital Fragmentation Is Putting the World in a Bind
Laura Mahrenbach and Maximilian Mayer write about the increasing digital fragmentation driven by regulation and national interests in major tech powers such as the U.S., China and the EU. To address the challenges and risks, they argue that countries should adopt a strategy of pragmatic resilience combined with cooperative approaches.
CASSIS - Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn