In Cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit 

The online series "European Strategic Dialogue" aims to examine the major issues of our current day and age touching upon European security - both the visible dynamics and the “invisible wars" (Thomas Gomart). It does so from a perspective that is both rooted in long history and characterized by "exploratory foresight” in order to gauge future geopolitical trends. Its aim is to reveal and explore the faultiness and crossroads of interest between France, Germany and the Netherlands. In doing so, the ESD discusses the conditions for a "strategic awakening" in Europe. 

The security policy landscape, both in Europe and beyond, has become increasingly complex and challenging. The continued Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, China's increased foreign policy assertiveness, and the complex positioning towards Russia of some major countries in the Global South are just a few examples. Europe has demonstrated significant unity in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, and is cooperating closely. Although this is highly encouraging, some questions arise. Can Europe always depend on US engagement in and for Europe, especially considering potential pitfalls in the upcoming presidential and congressional elections? What should Europe do on its own, and what policies and resources does it require? 

These and more questions are part of the European Strategy Dialogue (ESD), jointly organized by the University of Bonn/CASSIS (coordinated by Ambassador ret. Dirk Brengelmann), Leiden University (Dr. Nikki Ikani), Sorbonne University (Dr. Landry Charrier), and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Brussels Office/Mr. Jeroen Dobber).

Navigating the Changing Security Landscape in Europe

23.02.2023 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm | online via Zoom

Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine has dramatically changed the security policy landscape in Europe. In reaction, the EU formally approved the Strategic Compass (March 2022) and NATO updated its core tasks with a new Strategic Concept (June 2022).

Intro:

Ambassador (ret.) Dirk Brengelmann
Senior Fellow at CASSIS

Panel:

Sébastien Lumet
Co-Founder of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics

PD Dr. Antje Nötzold
Adjunct Professor, University of Chemnitz Associate Fellow at CASSIS

luliia Osmolovska
Director, GLOBSEC Kyiv
Senior Fellow, Ukraine Programme

Dr. Trineke Palm
Director of the Research Institute of the ChristenUnie
Lecturer at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Elie Tenenbaum
Director of Ifri's Security Studies Center

Moderation:

Jeroen Dobber
Head of the Global Security Hub at Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Further Development of European Sovereignty in Security and Defence

23.05.2022 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm | Ceremonial hall University Bonn | Regina-Pacis-Weg 3, 53113 Bonn

With its fourth edition, the European Strategic Dialogue series goes into the next round. What are the options for establishing greater European Sovereignty in light of recent events? Can the member states and Brussels overcome current obstacles in or to formulae a coherent and sustainable EU’s security and defense policy while securing and further strengthening the precious relationship with NATO? What needs to be done for the EU and its member states being more able to tackling the key strategic challenges of our times?

These and other questions will be addressed by high-ranking experts. 

Intro:

Prof. Dr. Wolfram Hilz                                                                 Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), Bonn University

Panel:

H.E. Luis Vassy
Ambassador of France to the Netherlands

H.E. Ekkehard Brose
Ambassador and President of the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS)

Sophie Vériter
Doctoral researcher at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA), Leiden University

Christiane Heidbrink
Research Fellow at the Center of Global Studies (CGS) and Head of Junge GSP Section Bonn

Moderation:

Ambassador (ret.) Dirk Brengelmann
Senior Fellow at CASSIS

Strategic Consequences of the War in Ukraine for Europe

21.03.2022 | 15.00-16.30 pm | online via Zoom

On February 24th the looming crisis in Ukraine escalated: Regular Russian troops invaded Ukraine on multiple fronts, causing death, suffering and disaster in the process.

Panel:

Dr. Roderick Parkes

Research Director of DGAP and Head of the Alfred von Oppenheim Center for European Policy Studies

Dr. Iulian Romanyshyn

Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies, University of Bonn

Dr. Pierre Haroche

Research Fellow in European Security at the Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM, Paris)

Dr. Nikki Ikani

Assistant Professor Intelligence & Security, Leiden University

Moderation:

Sophie Vériter

Doctoral researcher at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA), Leiden University

How to implement the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

15.12.2021 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm | online via Zoom

France, Germany, and the Netherlands – all of them have drawn up national Indo-Pacific strategies in recent years – played a key role in the EU’s effort to find a more decisive approach to this distant but vital region. However, it will now require more than a strong push from the three countries to ensure that the EU implements a long-term strategy in the Indo-Pacific. How to turn this strategy into reality, regarding the indifference of many member states?

Intro:

Prof. Dr. Joachim Koops
Chair of Security Studies and Scientific Director of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University

Panel:

Dr. Antoine Bondaz
Research Fellow at the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS) and Associate Professor at Sciences Po Paris

Dr. Felix Heiduk
Senior Associate at German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), Berlin

Moderation:

Sophie Vériter
Doctoral Researcher, Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University

A Strategic Compass guided by the Core 

09.11.2021 | 06:30 - 08:00 pm | online via Zoom

Launch Event of the lecture series “European Strategic Dialogue”

French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte recently delivered a joint statement on how to “strengthen Europe’s role as a global player” (31.08.2021). Is an internally increasingly stressed Union even capable of finding a common line with regards to strategic issues? Can the gap between idealistic aspirations and hard realpolitik, the division between the promotion of a human rights-based global order and a realistic and strategic pursuit of security interests – even in cooperation with questionable partners – be bridged? What can be the basis for strategic and determined engagement, which role could states like France, Germany and the Netherlands play, and what conditions have to be met so that the nebulous concept of ‘strategic autonomy’ materializes? These and other questions will be discussed from a Franco-Dutch-German perspective during the webinar.

Intro:

Iris B. Müller
Programme Executive for North Rhine-Westphalia, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Welcoming: 

Luis Vassy
French Ambassador to the Netherlands

Prof. Dr. Birgit Ulrike Münch
Vice Rector for International Affairs, University of Bonn

Panel:

Prof. Dr. Joachim Koops
Chair of Security Studies and Scientific Director of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA), Leiden University

Dirk Brengelmann
Former Ambassador of Germany to the Netherlands and Brazil, CASSIS, University of Bonn

Evelyne Grenèche
Ministry of the Armed Forces (French Republic), General Directorate of International Relations and Strategy

Moderation:

Sophie Vériter 
Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA), Leiden University