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.
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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.
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Integrated Security and Global Sustainability
Lead: Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg
Prof. Dr. Wolfram Hilz
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie
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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
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.'
Two CASSIS experts as co-editors of a new space series at Tectum
The two CASSIS experts, PD Dr. Antje Nötzold and Dr. Enrico Fels, are co-editors of a new space series at Tectum.
Call for Applications for the Young Leaders Summer Academy
Interested young talents and young leaders from academia, diplomacy, journalism and practice can apply until 15 March 2025.
Review of the panel discussion "Infrastructure, AI & Europe's path to digital sovereignty"
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.
Review of the Winter School ‘Outer Space Cooperation in the Middle East’ in Bonn
The Winter School ‘Outer Space Cooperation in the Middle East’ from 6 - 8 December 2024 brought students from the Middle East together with students from Europe to talk about space cooperation in the Middle East.
CASSIS member Frederik Schmitz at the Dies academicus
Under the title "Die Partei spüren: Immersive Parteipropaganda in China," Frederik Schmitz presented the results of his field research on immersive memory infrastructures in China at the Dies academicus.
Current Media Contributions
Guest article by Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge - Germany's Security Policy of the Future
The global security order is increasingly unstable, and Germany as well as Europe need to strengthen their foreign and security policy capabilities. In this context, the creation of a National Security Council is being discussed as a central measure to improve coordination between the various security-related sectors and to develop a coherent security strategy.
Prof. Dr. Schlie: Baerbock's Move to the UN General Assembly Sparks Criticism and Surprise
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is expected to take on the presidency of the UN General Assembly, which is causing a stir in German politics. The position rotates annually between world regions, and currently, Western Europe is up. Baerbock's decision to take on this international role, despite having previously announced her intention to step back from top politics, has sparked criticism. The situation becomes particularly problematic because Helga Schmid had originally been designated as the candidate. Experts like Ulrich Schlie view the move as unusual, given that the German government is changing its decision just before Baerbock's political withdrawal.
"High Position with Limited Powers" – Prof. Ulrich Schlie
In international diplomacy, positions such as the President of the UN General Assembly play a significant yet often overlooked role. This article explores the function of this post, which rotates annually between the five world regions. Despite its high symbolic importance, the position lacks influence and prestige compared to other UN roles, such as that of the UN Secretary-General. This raises questions about the motivations of politicians nominated for this position, such as Annalena Baerbock. Her nomination as a potential President of the UN General Assembly, despite having previously announced her withdrawal from German politics, raises questions about her career prospects and the strategic direction of German foreign policy. In a broader context, the article reflects on the challenges and importance of high-ranking positions in international organizations, which, although carrying limited powers, still bear diplomatic responsibility.
Dr. Frank Umbach on Trump's phone calls at Phoenix
The topic surrounding Donald Trump, Russian disinformation, and political credibility is currently of great importance. Especially in the context of geopolitical tensions, international relations, and the spread of misinformation, the question arises as to how deeply leading politicians like Trump are involved in these dynamics. Trump's role in spreading Russian disinformation and his often contradictory political positions—such as those concerning the deportation of children—raise serious doubts about the authenticity of his political agenda. At the same time, the hope for a ceasefire in various conflicts remains, but many experts and observers agree that it has not yet been achieved with certainty. In this context, the credibility and responsibility of heads of state and their actions on the international stage are continually scrutinized.
Dr. Antje Nötzold in David Matei's podcast on geopolitics in space
Space has long become a crucial strategic battleground. What was once considered an untouched realm for scientific exploration is now an area where geopolitical and military interests collide. In particular, systems like Starlink play a significant role in warfare, while Europe still faces challenges regarding its independence in space. In this episode, we take a look at the geopolitical and security implications of space utilization and ask the question: How resilient is Europe in space really?
Professor Xuewu Gu: Clash at the White House
The article examines the evolving global political landscape, particularly the shifting dynamics between the United States, Europe, and China. Focusing on the consequences of Donald Trump’s foreign policies, Professor Xuewu Gu, an expert in international relations at the University of Bonn, provides a detailed analysis of how the growing rift between the U.S. and Europe is creating a strategic opening for China to expand its influence, particularly in Europe and in global diplomatic efforts such as the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Dr. Joachim Weber in an interview with RTL on arms deliveries to Ukraine
In an interview with RTL, Dr. Joachim Weber discussed the current challenges in arms production in Europe. Especially in light of the Ukraine conflict and geopolitical tensions, he called for a drastic shift in industrial capacities to ensure military competitiveness.
'What Will Happen?' Podcast with Professor Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and the 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.
Events
CASSIS offers a wide range of events on current foreign and security policy issues.
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Upcoming events
Das sino-russische Bündnis und die Rückkehr der Machtblöcke
Rheinallee 24, 53173 ...
06:00 PM - 08:30 PM
The public event "The Sino-Russian alliance and the return of the power blocs: Mao's and Stalin's long shadows?" explores the relationship between Russia and ...
Spring School Outer Space Cooperation in the Middle East
Festsaal Universiy of ...
Whole Day
Space-based infrastructure is crucial to modern societies, supporting navigation, communication, weather forecasting, and military functions. As reliance on ...
Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age
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 ...
Iran: How the West Betrays Its Values and Interests
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 ...
Past events
Hotspot Latin America: Authoritarianism, Democracy & Geopolitics
Lennéstr. 27, 53113 Bonn
06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Latin America plays an increasingly important role in the international politics and economy of the 21st century. At the same time, its countries face immense ...
German-French Strategic Dialogue: Disinformation (GER/FRA)
Online / Zoom
06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
The deliberate spread of disinformation has dramatically gained importance in recent years and represents a central challenge for democracies around the world. ...
German Ukraine Policy: New Challenges and Strategies
Festsaal, Universität ...
06:00 PM
The Union of Ukrainian Students (UniBonn.UA), the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn, and the ...
Simulation Game ‘Entanglement’
Universitätsforum Bonn, ...
10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
New perspectives for Germany's security policy. The ‘Entanglement’ simulation game, organised in cooperation with JDGAP, offers the opportunity to develop ...
Current Scientific Publications
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.
Transatlantic Cooperation in the Chip War
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.
Digital platforms in the agricultural sector: Dynamics of oligopolistic platformisation
In their article, Monja Sauvagerd, Maximilian Mayer and Monika Hartmann introduce the concept of "oligopolistic platformisation" to explore the dynamics of collaboration and competition between multinational agribusinesses and Big Tech in the agricultural sector. They analyze this phenomenon through platform mechanisms such as datafication, selection, and commodification.
The Contemporary German Navy as an Instrument of Foreign Policy
In "The Contemporary German Navy as an Instrument of Foreign Policy," Moritz Brake demonstrates how the German Navy has established itself as an increasingly important instrument of foreign policy since the Cold War and the "Zeitenwende" (turning point). Brake outlines the development of the Navy and its growing role in maritime security and ocean governance, highlighting the rising significance of the Navy in the context of Germany's shifting geopolitical role in the 21st century. Over the past decades, the Navy has not only seen personnel growth but also received relatively higher investments compared to the Army and Air Force, reflecting its increased importance to German foreign policy.
The Baltic Sea in Focus: A Geopolitical Hotspot of the Futur
Joachim Weber and Wolfram Hiltz take a closer look at the growing geopolitical significance of the Baltic Sea. They analyze how the region is increasingly becoming the focus of global attention due to rising international tensions.
CASSIS - Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn