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.

Learn more ¹

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.

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Current

Dossier Middle East

The experts at CASSIS analyse the current conflict in Gaza and other escalations in the Middle East and offer relevant information on its context and background.

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.

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.

ISFB 2023 ⁴

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.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.

Vernetzte Sicherheit, globale Nachhaltigkeit.png

Integrated Security and Global Sustainability

Lead: Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Hilz
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie

To Project ⁵

Security and Strategy Research

Henry Kissinger Professorship for Security and Strategy Research

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie

To Professorship ⁶

Global Infrastructures

Politics and Governance of Global Infrastructures

Lead:
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer

To Project ⁷

Challenge East - Handlungsstrategien der Europäer in der östlichen Nachbarschaft

Lead: Prof. Dr. Wolfram Hilz Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder

To Project ⁸

About the Podcast ⁹

"Was wird?"-Podcast

At irregular intervals, CASSIS also hosts the "Was wird?"-podcast, together with Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and Michael Krons.

About the Podcast ¹⁰

News

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The Sino-Russian alliance and the return of the power blocs: Mao and Stalin’s long shadows?¹¹

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?"

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Publication of the Report by CASSIS of the University of Bonn and the EWI of the University of Cologne¹²

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.

¹³

Final Conference Forschungsprojekt „H2 Reality Check“¹³

Review of the Final Conference of the Research Project H2 Reality Check

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CASSIS and Democratic Resilience Center (DRC) agree on interdisciplinary research partnership¹⁴

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.

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'What Will Happen?' podcast with Professor Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and journalist Michael Krons¹⁵

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.'

¹⁶

Two CASSIS experts as co-editors of a new space series at Tectum¹⁶

The two CASSIS experts, PD Dr. Antje Nötzold and Dr. Enrico Fels, are co-editors of a new space series at Tectum.

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Call for Applications for the Young Leaders Summer Academy¹⁷

Interested young talents and young leaders from academia, diplomacy, journalism and practice can apply until 15 March 2025.

¹⁸

Review of the panel discussion "Infrastructure, AI & Europe's path to digital sovereignty"¹⁸

On 14 January 2025, the Academy of International Affairs, in collaboration with CASSIS, hosted a panel discussion on "Infrastructure, AI & Europe's path to digital sovereignty." In an increasingly digitalised world, keeping up with and following technological developments is a growing challenge for national governments and institutions such as the EU, especially in light of the new U.S. administration that took office in January 2025. The discussion shed light on how the EU and its Member States can remain competitive while protecting their interests and values.

All News ¹⁹

Current Media Contributions

²⁰

“Certainly Not Normal”: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie Criticizes Planned Baerbock Move to the UN²⁰

Annalena Baerbock is set to become President of the UN General Assembly, a move experts view as unusual and politically controversial. Her transfer to New York is not seen as a career advancement and has drawn criticism, particularly because the originally nominated diplomat, Helga Schmid, was sidelined. The process could also have long-term effects on Germany's diplomatic reputation.

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Prof. Ulrich Schlie on TRT Global: Turning point in Berlin - Will the new government bring stability?²¹

Germany is facing a twofold challenge: Domestically, pressure is growing due to the AfD and social polarization, while Trump's return and global uncertainties are exacerbating the course of foreign policy.

²²

Prof. Heinemann-Grüder on n-tv: “People are being forcibly converted to Russianness”²²

Following the example of zoning in Germany after the Second World War, the USA is proposing a model for Ukraine. “It has the flavor of the 19th century,” says peace researcher Andreas Heinemann-Grüder. Meanwhile, Trump is trying to achieve a ceasefire. But that also seems a long way off.

²³

Turkey at a crossroads - Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie on the Hessischer Rundfunk programme ‘DER TAG’²³

Turkey is playing an increasingly important role within NATO and is skilfully using its strategic influence and foreign policy contacts, for example with Russia and Ukraine. President Erdoğan combines economic interests with national security. Turkey is thus acting above its weight class - but this has increased significantly in recent years, argues Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie in the podcast ‘DER TAG’.

²⁴

Prof. Heinemann-Grüder at GMX: The hurdles of Ukrainian elections: martial law, destruction and logistical problems²⁴

The Ukrainian government is under pressure to hold elections. However, the war and the associated challenges pose major hurdles. According to experts, it is difficult to hold elections under the current conditions.

²⁵

Landry Charrier at FOCUS online: Merz, Macron and the power game - A balancing act between departure and mistrust²⁵

In Paris, expectations of the future Chancellor Merz are particularly high. Dr. Landry Charrier, an expert on Franco-German relations, sheds light on the current situation from the French perspective.

²⁶

Guest article by Prof. Ulrich Schlie at Anadolu Ajansı: “Annalena Baerbock's controversial UN bid”²⁶

In a guest article by Prof. Ulrich Schlie for Anadolu Ajansı, he criticizes Baerbock's surprising UN bid as a diplomatic misstep that has damaged Germany's reputation.

²⁷

Dr. Antje Nötzold in a podcast discussion on Hungry Minds: How does warfare work in space?²⁷

In a new edition of the “Hungry Minds” podcast, Dr. Antje Nötzold talks to Ronja Ebeling and Dr. Kilian Hampel about warfare in space and how it is viewed in the strategic competition between world powers.

All Media Contributions ²⁸

Events

CASSIS offers a wide range of events on current foreign and security policy issues.

All Events ²⁹

Upcoming events

Monday May 05, 2025

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70 years of German sovereignty: International role models³⁰

Zoom / in presence

07:00 PM

en years after the end of the Second World War, Europe was still undergoing reconstruction - both politically and militarily. The attempt to create a common ...

Tuesday May 06, 2025

³¹

Protection of critical maritime infrastructures³¹

Online

08:00 AM - 09:30 AM

Maritime infrastructures form the backbone of modern economies - and at the same time are vulnerable and their protection beyond national control is a complex ...

Wednesday May 07, 2025

³²

H2 reality check of the EU hydrogen strategy³²

hybride Paneldiskussion

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Hydrogen is a key technology for the European energy transition. It can store surplus electricity from renewables and decarbonize sectors that are difficult to ...

Monday May 12, 2025

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60 years of German-Israeli relations³³

Regierungsviertel

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

We would like to take 60 years of German-Israeli relations as an opportunity to highlight the major milestones in the security policy relationship. A ...

Past events

Monday Apr 07, 2025 until Jul 07, 2025

³⁴

Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age³⁴

Hörsaal XIII, main ...

06:15 PM

The lecture series "Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age" at the University of Bonn examines how digital technologies influence power ...

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025

³⁵

Iran: How the West Betrays Its Values and Interests³⁵

Universitätsforum, ...

07:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a recognized political scientist and Middle East expert, advocates for a paradigm shift in Iran policy and outlines key pillars for a more ...

Monday Apr 14, 2025

³⁶

European Strategic Autonomy³⁶

Hörsaal XIII, main ...

06:15 PM - 07:45 PM

The lecture "European Strategic Autonomy: Navigating Geopolitical and Technological Disruption" will be held by Prof. Dr. Paul Timmers and is part of the ...

Monday Apr 07, 2025

³⁷

Space Infrastructure and Technological Autonomy for Europe³⁷

Hörsaal XIII, main ...

06:15 PM - 07:45 PM

The lecture will be held by PD Dr. Antje Nötzold and is part of the lecture series "Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age". The ...

Event Archive ³⁸

Current Scientific Publications

³⁹

Connectivity and ‘Reglobalization’: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its Potential Digital Future³⁹

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.

¹²

Publication of the Report by CASSIS of the University of Bonn and the EWI of the University of Cologne¹²

⁴⁰

After NATO — the way forward⁴⁰

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.

⁴¹

Election campaign in focus: Disinformation and the Bundestag election 2025⁴¹

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.

⁴²

Enhancing European Space Access: Fostering Innovation Ecosystems to Strengthen EU Space Capabilities⁴²

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.

⁴³

Follow-Up: Global Health in Crisis⁴³

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.

⁴⁴

U.S.-China Digital Fragmentation Is Putting the World in a Bind⁴⁴

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.

⁴⁵

Transatlantic Cooperation in the Chip War⁴⁵

Philip Nock critically examines the U.S. and EU Chips Acts, which aim for a strategic realignment of semiconductor production, highlighting differences in funding, regulation and implementation approaches. The article concludes by emphasizing the urgency of strengthened transatlantic cooperation to reduce economic dependencies and ensure supply chain security in a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical challenges.