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

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.

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.

Policy Brief on the EU's Digital Dependency

As part of the “Digital Dependence Index 2.0” project, in collaboration with the Vodafone Institute, CASSIS is publishing its first policy brief, “Digital Trade Trap? A Wake-up Call for the EU’s Digital Decade,” which shows that despite an apparent digital trade surplus, the EU remains heavily dependent on the U.S. and China and has structural weaknesses that jeopardize its digital sovereignty. 

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.

All News

Current Media Contributions

Dr. habil. Hendrik Ohnesorge in the Values & Interests Podcast about Soft Power

What makes power endure? Hendrik W. Ohnesorge explores the relationship between influence, values, and international leadership, arguing that attraction and legitimacy often outlast coercion and force. Drawing on examples from classical antiquity, literature, and modern geopolitics, he traces the evolution of soft power and its role in shaping international affairs.

Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg in an interview with phoenix vor Ort regarding the British Prime Minister's resignation

Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg appeared as a guest on phoenix on June 22 to discuss British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announced resignation.

Dr. Ali Fathollah-Nejad on the hr podcast “Der Tag,” discussing the current situation in Iran

Dr. Ali Fathollah-Nejad appeared as a guest on the hr podcast “Der Tag” on June 22 to discuss the Iranian perspective on the current negotiations.

Dr. Frank Umbach in an interview with n-tv on the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran

On June 21, Dr. Frank Umbach spoke with n-tv about the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

Dr. Hendrik habil. Ohnesorge featured on the ‘Der Rest ist Geschichte’ podcast on U.S. soft power

Dr. habil. Hendrik Ohnesorge explains in the podcast the significance of the United States as a soft power and shows how culture, values, and key personalities shape the country’s attractiveness and its capacity to influence others.

Dr. Joachim Weber in an interview with phoenix on the day of the G7 summit in Évian

Dr. Joachim Weber appeared as a guest on “Der Tag” on phoenix on June 17 to analyze the G7 summit in Évian.

Dr. Moritz Brake Appears on the NDR Podcast “Streitkräfte und Strategien”

Dr. Moritz Brake appeared on the NDR podcast “Streitkräfte und Strategien” on June 16 to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the threats in the Baltic Sea region.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder in an interview with Euronews on the founding of a Russian opposition party

On June 13, Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder gave an interview to Euronews regarding the founding of the Russian opposition party “Peaceful Russia” in Berlin.

All Media Contributions

Events

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

All Events

Upcoming events

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 ...

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 ...

Past events

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. ...

Tuesday Jun 23, 2026

Changing Security Dynamics in the Persian Gulf

Genscherallee 3, 53113 ...

06:00 PM

Since the outbreak of the war in February 2026, Operation “Epic Fury,” initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, has significantly altered the security ...

Tuesday Jun 23, 2026

Ground-Based Space Medicine Research for Life in Microgravity

Haus der Bildung, ...

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Humans in space are not only a symbol of technical mastery – they are also a fascinating subject of medical research. The extreme environment of space ...

Event Archive

Current Scientific Publications

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

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.

France is reeling – Europe is on edge

In this essay, Dr. Landry Charrier examines the consequences of France's domestic political instability, focusing specifically on the implications of a potential electoral victory for the right-wing Rassemblement National (RN).

The Space Aspect of the Russian-Ukrainian War

In their article, PD Dr. Antje Nötzold and Dr. Enrico Fels examine the space aspects of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

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