CASSIS Publications

The EU and the US after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: a new convergence on strategic autonomy?

The book develops a theoretical framework on policy paradigms, worldviews, grand strategy, strategic narratives and the drivers of institutional change followed by chapters on the anti-liberal challenge, the evolution of the EU framework of ideas, the search for grand strategy and strategic autonomy, the response to Russian aggression and imperial thinking, and continuity and change in EU unity, working groups, green leadership and strategic communication.

Explaining the launch and design of the EU’s military assistance mission to Ukraine

In October 2022, the EU established a military assistance mission in support to Ukrainian armed forces (EUMAM Ukraine). The decision to launch the mission runs contrary to what one would intuitively expect from the EU, considering member states’ traditional divisions on Russia, alternative training initiatives, Ukraine’s lacklustre position and the mission’s unconventional design. Despite the growing literature on the EU’s response to Russian aggression, this puzzle has so far been overlooked. While a reformulation of EU member states’ security preferences driven by the heightened threat of an aggressive Russia is certainly necessary to explain the creation of EUMAM Ukraine, we argue that the launch and design of the mission can only be fully understood through a neofunctionalist approach, taking into account the effect of functional pressure and the activism of EU actors. The article shows how the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and the European External Action Service seized an initiative from member states and set the foundation for the mission of unprecedented scope and complexity. This finding illustrates the importance of Brussels-based actors in driving EU security and defence policy forward in times of existential security crisis in Europe.

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.

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.

Tianxia Under the Sea: China's Quest for Maritime History

Frederik Schmitz examines how China's political and academic discourses shape the image of a peaceful maritime state, with underwater archaeology playing a crucial role. At the heart of this narrative is the ancient concept of tianxia ("everything under the sky"), which supports the rise of China as a peaceful maritime power through historical documents and archaeological discoveries.

Digital fragmentations, technological sovereignty and new perspectives on the global digital political economy

In their article, Maximilian Mayer & Philip Nock discuss the interactions between digital sovereignty and the fragmentation of digital ecosystems and internet governance. They address "cyber-balkanisation" and related challenges to the global digital political economy, including implications for governance, economic autonomy and technological dependencies.

Prof. Dr Heinemann-Grüder in an article for the Centre for Democratic Integrity

In his article ‘Memory, Myth, and Militarisation: Russia's War Propaganda and the Construction of Legitimised Violence in Ukraine’, Prof. Dr. Heinemann-Grüder examines the narrative strategies of Russian war propaganda in the context of the war against Ukraine.

From Automation to Autonomy: Human Machine Relations in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

In this article, Caja Thimm, Gabriele Gramelsberger, Maximilian Mayer & Frank Piller shed light on the complex and interdisciplinary perspectives on autonomy in the digital era.

Supporting structural biologists in Africa requires resources and capacity building

The scientific analysis by Emmanuel Nji, Aurélien F. A. Moumbock, Katharina C. Cramer, Nicolas V. Rüffin, Jamaine Davis, Oluwatoyin A. Asojo, Julia J. Griese, Amma A. Larbi & Michel N. Fodje highlights the complex and transformative role of structural biology as a driver of sustainable development and global scientific cooperation. Asojo, Julia J. Griese, Amma A. Larbi & Michel N. Fodje highlights the complex and transformative role of structural biology as a driving force for sustainable development and global scientific co-operation.

Dr Hüseyin I. Çiçek examines Turkey's religious diplomacy in Africa in his article

Through religious diplomacy and the use of institutions such as the Diyanet and TİKA, Turkey is trying to expand its influence on the African continent and consolidate its leading role in the Muslim world.

Dr Ali Fathollah-Nejad's paper examines Europe's reaction to Masoud Pezeshkian's election victory in Iran.

In his latest publication, Dr Ali Fathollah-Nejad examines Europe's reaction to Masoud Pezeshkian's victory in the 2024 Iranian presidential election and challenges his portrayal as a reformist. In reality, Pezeshkian is loyal to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and promotes the interests of the regime rather than those of reform. In his paper, Fathollah-Nejad criticises Europe's overly optimistic attitude and warns against repeating past mistakes. He also highlights the growing security threats posed by Iran, including destabilisation in the Middle East, military support for Russia in Ukraine and - widely ignored - threats to European security in the Mediterranean. A shift in EU policy towards Iran is also proposed to better address these growing challenges.

Klarheit im Denken - Theorie und Praxis strategischer Vorausschau und strukturierter Analysetechniken

The authors of the book „Clarity in Thinking – Theory and Practice of Strategic Foresight and Structured Analytical Techniques” are Ole Donner, Oliver Gnad, and Randolph H. Pherson. The book integrates cognitive psychology with structured analytical techniques and provides clear and precise guidance for improving decision-making. It demonstrates how to effectively apply structured techniques in practice to simplify complex decision-making processes and make informed predictions.

Routledge Handbook on Global China

A scientific analysis by Maximilian Mayer, Emilian Kavalski, Marina Rudyak and Xin Zhang on the complex and transformative nature of Global China.

Faith and confession in the German resistance against Hitler

In the commemorative publication for Andreas Sohn, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie describes the role of the Christian faith in the German resistance against Hitler.

The Challenges of Protecting Critical Undersea Infrastructure

In his publication, Dr. Frank Umbach analyses the security policy challenges for NATO in defending critical undersea infrastructure against Russia.

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