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.

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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

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.

ISFB

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

Strategic Competition in Space

Lead:
Dr. Enrico Fels
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer

To Project

Global Infrastructures

Politics and Governance of Global Infrastructures

Lead:
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer

To Project

Challenge East - Handlungsstrategien der Europäer in der östlichen Nachbarschaft

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

To Project

About the Podcast

"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

News

Ein strategischer Sonderfall?

The article by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie on the topic of practice-oriented security and strategic research in German history and the present was published by SIRIUS – Zeitschrift für Strategische Analysen on September 3, 2026.

Open courses in the Katekisama program

In the Fall term of 2026, master's (and PhD) students at the University of Bonn will have the opportunity to participate online at courses at the Institute for European Global Studies in Basel.

Call for Applications: Internship, September through December 2026

The Henry Kissinger Professorship is looking for a dedicated intern for the period from September 15 to December 2026.

The Economic and Political Costs of Europe's Shrinking ICT Patent Share

Europe has lost ground, especially in patents for digital technologies. The data from the new policy brief, produced in cooperation with the Vodafone Institute, points to sharply rising dependencies.

Dr. Enrico Fels at the Roundtable LIVE at the ILA Berlin

Dr. Enrico Fels was a guest on Roundtable LIVE on June 11 at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin. The discussion, titled “Is Power Rewriting the Law?”, focused primarily on the security zones currently being established around space-based facilities and international space law.

Workarounding Tech Middle Power Cooperation in a Turbulent World

This book examines the growing role of “tech middle powers” and their cooperation patterns in a changing global order. It explores how middle powers navigate new forms of international collaboration amid three key trends: the shift toward minilateral informal cooperation, the “Easternization” of science and technology, and the intensifying geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China. Particularly the contributors analyze the emerging phenomenon of “workarounding”.

Exploring Shenzhen’s state gig economy: The ‘eyes and ears’ of China’s smart state

China’s smart governance agenda is often narrated as the seamless quantification and automation of core state functions through AI, sensors, and integrated platforms. Using Shenzhen’s grid governance, we show that frontline operations remain labour-intensive and precariously staffed.

Brussels Needs a New Narrative on China-EU Relations

If Europe wants to reduce security vulnerabilities in its economic relationship with China, it must embed those policies within a strategically positive narrative.

All News

Current Media Contributions

Dr. Frank Umbach discusses the hybrid threat to critical infrastructure on ZDF

In an article published on ZDFheute on September 8, Dr. Frank Umbach analyzed the most recent acts of sabotage targeting critical German infrastructure, particularly at two substations in early September, and what they mean for energy security of Germany.

Dr. Joachim Weber discusses the acts of sabotage at substations on RTL

On September 5, Dr. Joachim Weber spoke on RTL Nachtjournal about the acts of sabotage at German substations earlier that month.

James D. Bindenagel on the AfD, looted art, and German culture of remembrance

In an op-ed published in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on September 4, 2026, CASSIS Fellow James D. Bindenagel traces the history of Germany’s handling of looted art from the Nazi era and praises the restitution efforts of recent years as one of the success stories of German remembrance culture. Nevertheless, owing to recent election successes, he warns that the AfD is calling this culture of remembrance into question and is seriously jeopardizing further efforts to restitute looted art.

Dr. Joachim Weber discusses Germany's measures against Russian hybrid warfare

Dr. Joachim Weber appeared as a guest on phoenix on September 2 and analyzed the German measures that have been imposed in response to Russia’s ongoing hybrid warfare. He views the increasing deterioration of relations with Russia with concern and warns of a spiral of escalation that is approaching a “pre-war state.”

Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder on Mittagsmagazin regarding the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn

On September 3, Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder spoke on the ARD program “Mittagsmagazin” about the consequences of the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn.

Dr. Frank Umbach on phoenix, discussing the acts of sabotage at two energy facilities

Dr. Frank Umbach appeared on phoenix on September 2 to discuss the two acts of sabotage at substations near Cologne and in Brandenburg.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder on Tagesschau discussing Putin's reaction to Germany's new measures

Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder was interviewed on the Tagesschau news program on September 2 to discuss how Putin is reacting to the German measures against Russian hybrid warfare that were announced the day before.

Dr. Landry Charrier discusses in a FOCUS op-ed how Germany might respond to a President Le Pen

In an op-ed for Focus, published on 31 August 2026, Prof. Dr. Landry Charrier discusses the possibility of a Marine Le Pen election victory in 2027 and the question of how Germany should respond. He explains why Le Pen would most likely be limited in her ability to act and argues in favor of maintaining relations with France and focusing on strengthened European cooperation.

All Media Contributions

Events

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

All Events

Upcoming events

Tuesday Oct 20, 2026

Can we defend ourselves?

Institut français Bonn, ...

06:15 PM - 07:45 PM

While Donald Trump’s second term in office is placing a historic strain on transatlantic relations, Europe is currently facing pressure on multiple fronts. ...

Past events

Monday Jul 13, 2026

Introduction to Strategic Wargaming

Römerstraße 164, 53117 ...

01:00 PM - 06:00 PM

How do shifts in power politics in the Arctic region lead to new partnerships or strategic dependencies? What geopolitical and geographical conditions must be ...

Wednesday Jul 08, 2026

Transatlantic Fracture

Lennéstraße 6, 53113 Bonn

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

The United States is reevaluating its place in the world, not only because of President Trump. The metamorphosis in American politics is affecting U.S. foreign ...

Thursday Jul 02, 2026

The Consequences of External Migration Management for the EU

Institut français Bonn, ...

06:15 PM - 08:00 PM

Migration has posed major challenges for Europe for years. The issue has the potential to divide entire societies, and starting this year, Europe is taking a ...

Tuesday Jun 30, 2026

From Earth to the Stars – Turning Inspiration into the Future

German Space Agency, ...

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

The fascination with space has always inspired human imagination – and it remains a powerful driver of curiosity, discovery, and technological progress. ...

Event Archive

Current Scientific Publications

Ein strategischer Sonderfall?

The Economic and Political Costs of Europe's Shrinking ICT Patent Share

Europe has lost ground, especially in patents for digital technologies. The data from the new policy brief, produced in cooperation with the Vodafone Institute, points to sharply rising dependencies.

Workarounding Tech Middle Power Cooperation in a Turbulent World

Exploring Shenzhen’s state gig economy: The ‘eyes and ears’ of China’s smart state

Brussels Needs a New Narrative on China-EU Relations

If Europe wants to reduce security vulnerabilities in its economic relationship with China, it must embed those policies within a strategically positive narrative.

Digital trade trap? A wake-up call for the EU’s Digital Decade

In collaboration with the Vodafone Institute, a team from CASSIS has examined digital dependencies in a policy brief. The innovative analysis reveals concerning challenges for Europe’s digital future: On one hand, Ireland’s disproportionate influence on the continent’s digital trade balance, and on the other, an excessive dependence on China in the trade of digital goods.

Bonn Future Lab Report 2025

The Bonn Future Lab on Strategic Foresight convened as the second segment of the International Security Forum Bonn 2025 from 31 October to 1 November 2025 in the UN and Federal City of Bonn. Within the framework of this multi-day format, the strategic challenges, risks, and opportunities arising from the intensifying competition over space utilization were deliberated, alongside an examination of the prospective trajectories for German and European space policy. This year’s edition of the Bonn Future Lab was held under the patronage of the Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee Bär.

Soft Power and Charismatic Leadership in German-American Relations

The origin, development, and significance of soft power and charismatic leadership in German-American relations are the subject of the latest publication by Bonn-based political scientist Hendrik W. Ohnesorge. This is his postdoctoral thesis, in which Ohnesorge examines over five centuries of transatlantic relations up to these present days.

All Publications

Contact

CASSIS - Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies

Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Contact

+49 (0)228/73 3579

cassis(at)uni-bonn.de

Adress

4th Floor
Römerstraße 164
D-53117 Bonn