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.

Learn more ¹

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.

1/64 © CASSIS

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 ⁴

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 ⁵

Security and Strategy Research

Henry Kissinger Professorship for Security and Strategy Research

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie

To Professorship ⁶

Global Infrastructures

Politics and Governance of Global Infrastructures

Lead:
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer

To Project ⁷

Challenge East - Handlungsstrategien der Europäer in der östlichen Nachbarschaft

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

To Project ⁸

About the Podcast ⁹

"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 ¹⁰

News

¹¹

Policy brief on the EU's hydrogen pathway¹¹

Based on the report “H2 Reality Check – Reappraising the EU's H2 Strategy in a New Era of Geopolitical Disruptions,” CASSIS has published an EU Policy Brief that summarizes the weaknesses and risks of the current EU hydrogen strategy in an evidence-based and practical manner while also providing concrete proposals for a more resilient energy policy.

¹²

Tech Middle Power Cooperation and Workarounding¹²

The dataset provides a comprehensive overview of cooperation initiatives involving 24 tech middle powers and 32 additional partner countries between 1990 and July 2025. It covers projects across eight world regions, with collaborations involving the United States or China deliberately excluded. The findings clearly show that the strategy of workarounding is gaining momentum worldwide. A more in-depth analysis will be presented in the edited volume Workarounding: Tech Middle Power Cooperation in a Turbulent World, edited by Maximilian Mayer, Gedaliah Afterman, Narayanappa Janardhan, and Laura Mahrenbach, to be published later this year by Palgrave Macmillan.

¹³

Fourth edition of the textbook: "Theorien der Internationalen Beziehungen"¹³

The fourth edition of the textbook "Theorien der Internationalen Beziehungen", edited by Prof. Dr. Xuewu Gu and PD Dr. Hendrik W. Ohnesorge, provides an introduction to the political science discipline of international relations. It systematically presents the most important theoretical approaches in the discipline and discusses the latest developments. The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies warmly congratulates both authors on this outstanding academic achievement.

¹⁴

Job advertisement at CASSIS: Program manager wanted for Master's in Strategy and International Security¹⁴

¹⁵

CASSIS congratulates the founding of TILLER ALPHA GmbH¹⁵

The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) warmly congratulates the founding of TILLER ALPHA GmbH, a pioneering initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of international research infrastructures through artificial intelligence.

¹⁶

Dr. Enrico Fels as a guest at Future Lounge #42: New security order in and for Europe¹⁶

On 7 May 2025, Dr. Enrico Fels, Managing Director of the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn, took part in the 42nd edition of the Futures Lounge of D2030. Under the title “New Security Order in and for Europe - Perspectives and Potentials”, he discussed the future of European security policy together with Dr. Sarah Pagung (Körber Foundation) and Dr. Olaf Theiler (Bundeswehr Planning Office).

¹⁷

Review of the Event ‘Neustart: The Next Federal Government Facing Major Challenges’¹⁷

To kick off the new legislative period, an interdisciplinary panel discussion on 24 April highlighted key political challenges and future issues for Germany. The focus was on setting the course for domestic and foreign policy, dealing with populist forces and Germany's role in Europe and the world. The event was organised by the Henry Kissinger Professorship at CASSIS at the University of Bonn.

¹⁸

The Sino-Russian alliance and the return of the power blocs: Mao and Stalin’s long shadows?¹⁸

On March 27, 2025, the Academy of International Affairs, in collaboration with the University of Cologne (Chair of Modern China Studies), the University of Bonn (CASSIS), and the Jahrbuch für Historische Kommunismusforschung, hosted a panel discussion titled "The Sino-Russian Alliance and the Return of Power Blocs: Mao and Stalin’s Long Shadows?"

All News ¹⁹

Current Media Contributions

²⁰

Dr. Frank Umbach assesses the current state of US-Ukrainian relations on FOCUS Online²⁰

On September 24th, Dr. Frank Umbach was mentioned in the article ““Has important information”: What could be behind Zelensky's mysterious Trump statement” by FOCUS Online. In it, the security expert assessed the current state of US-Ukrainian relations with regard to a possible strengthening of US support for Ukraine.

²¹

Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder on ARD's Tagesgespräch program analyzing Russia's military provocations²¹

On September 24th, Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder appeared on ARD alpha's Tagesgespräch program to explain Russia's violations of NATO airspace from a security policy perspective and to classify them in relation to previous examples of Russian military provocations.

²²

Dr. Frank Umbach talks to Deutschlandfunk about protecting critical infrastructure in Europe²²

On September 23rd, Dr. Frank Umbach discussed the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in Europe in an interview with Deutschlandfunk. The expert on energy security and security policy addressed Russia's recent provocations, such as its repeated airspace violations in Poland and the Baltic states. He also discussed yesterday's drone flights over Copenhagen Airport and Oslo's metropolitan area.

²³

Dr. Frank Umbach assesses the incursion of Russian drones and fighter jets into NATO airspace on n-tv²³

On September 20th, security expert Dr. Frank Umbach discussed the repeated incursions of Russian drones and fighter jets into NATO airspace in an interview with n-tv.

²⁴

Interview of Prof. Dr. Kronenberg given to the Kölnische Rundschau on the outcome of the NRW local elections²⁴

On September 15th, Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg gave an interview to the Kölnische Rundschau on the outcome of the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia.

²⁵

Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg analyzes the outcome of the local elections in Bonn and the surrounding area on WDR²⁵

On September 15th, Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg assessed the interim results of the mayoral elections in Bonn in an interview given to WDR. The political scientist and party expert also evaluated the outcome of other notable local elections in the surrounding area.

²⁶

Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg's assessment of the results of the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia on Phoenix²⁶

On September 15th, political party expert Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg analyzed the results of the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia on the Phoenix der Tag television program.

²⁷

Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg assesses the election results in Bonn, Rhein-Sieg, and Euskirchen on WDR television.²⁷

On September 14th, political scientist Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg analyzed the results of the North Rhine-Westphalian local elections in Bonn, Rhein-Sieg, and Euskirchen in the WDR studio.

All Media Contributions ²⁸

Events

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

All Events ²⁹

Past events

Tuesday Sep 09, 2025

³⁰

How Resilient is Our Energy Supply?³⁰

Online Event

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

The power outage in Spain in April 2025 highlighted how vulnerable European energy networks are – and how central they have become to our societies. Energy ...

Tuesday Sep 02, 2025

³¹

Star Wars? Astronaut Thomas Reiter on the new era of space travel³¹

Bonner Universitätsforum,...

06:00 PM - 07:30 PM

Thomas Reiter spent a total of 350 days in space – far away from Earth, surrounded by technology and darkness, but also with a breathtaking view of our planet. ...

Friday Aug 29, 2025

³²

Frontline City of Kherson – What Does Security Mean Today?³²

Bonner Universitätsforum,...

01:00 PM - 02:30 PM

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally shaken Europe's thinking on security policy. Certainties about peace, diplomacy, and cooperation ...

Tuesday Jul 22, 2025

³³

Safely through the city - strategies for safe NRW inner cities³³

Main building of the ...

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Whether in Bochum, Bonn or Bergisch Gladbach: city centers are central places of social life. But how safe are they - and how safe do they feel? The subjective ...

Event Archive ³⁴

Current Scientific Publications

³⁵

The Digitalisation of Memory Practices in China³⁵

On September 25, 2025, Maximilian Mayer and Frederik Schmitz published "The Digitalisation of Memory Practices in China: Contesting the Curating State." at Bristol University Press. The volume was supported by TRA 5 Present Pasts and provides the first comprehensive analysis of how memory and heritage in China is being reshaped in the digital age. Read more here.

¹²

Tech Middle Power Cooperation and Workarounding¹²

³⁶

Chinas Anspruch auf eine neue Weltordnung³⁶

Nadine Godehardt and Maximilian Mayer analyze China’s foreign policy, using the 2025 SCO summit in Tianjin as an example, where Xi Jinping presented his Global Governance Initiative (GGI) and organized numerous bilateral meetings. At the core lies China’s attempt to establish an alternative world order through multilateral structures and bilateral networks, distinct from Western-liberal principles. While Beijing emphasizes equality, sovereignty, and win-win cooperation, it employs these narratives to consolidate its own power and expand zones of influence with imperial characteristics. For Germany and Europe, this underscores the need to address not only trade-related issues but also China’s global ambitions in a more strategic way.

¹³

Fourth edition of the textbook: "Theorien der Internationalen Beziehungen"¹³

³⁷

The EU and the US after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: a new convergence on strategic autonomy?³⁷

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.

³⁸

Explaining the launch and design of the EU’s military assistance mission to Ukraine³⁸

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.

³⁹

Global structures of digital dependence and the rise of technopoles³⁹

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.

⁴⁰

Connectivity and ‘Reglobalization’: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its Potential Digital Future⁴⁰

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.