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.

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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 2023

From 19 October to 22 October 2023, ISFB will be held for the eighth time in person on the premises of the University of Excellence Bonn as the most important international security conference in North Rhine-Westphalia and all neighboring federal states.

ISFB 2023 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

The Sino-Russian alliance and the return of the power blocs: Mao and Stalin’s long shadows?¹¹

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?"

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Publication of the Report by CASSIS of the University of Bonn and the EWI of the University of Cologne¹²

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.

¹³

Final Conference Forschungsprojekt „H2 Reality Check“¹³

Review of the Final Conference of the Research Project H2 Reality Check

¹⁴

CASSIS and Democratic Resilience Center (DRC) agree on interdisciplinary research partnership¹⁴

The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and the Democratic Resilience Center (DRC) at the Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg signed a letter of intent on 10 March 2025. With the signing by the chancellors of the two universities, Holger Gottschalk (Bonn) and Axel Puckhaber (Hamburg), and the spokespersons of the two research centers, Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberg (CASSIS) and Prof. Dr. Gary S. Schaal (DRC), a research partnership was agreed, initially for a period of three years. The collaboration is guided by the CASSIS vision of meeting global challenges with European solutions and the DRC's mission of promoting resilient and robust democratic societies.

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'What Will Happen?' podcast with Professor Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder and journalist Michael Krons¹⁵

How could the war against Ukraine end? What are the effects of Trump's rapprochement with Putin, and how realistic are security guarantees? These are the topics discussed in 'What Will Happen? Controversies and Foresight.'

¹⁶

Two CASSIS experts as co-editors of a new space series at Tectum¹⁶

The two CASSIS experts, PD Dr. Antje Nötzold and Dr. Enrico Fels, are co-editors of a new space series at Tectum.

¹⁷

Call for Applications for the Young Leaders Summer Academy¹⁷

Interested young talents and young leaders from academia, diplomacy, journalism and practice can apply until 15 March 2025.

¹⁸

Review of the panel discussion "Infrastructure, AI & Europe's path to digital sovereignty"¹⁸

On 14 January 2025, the Academy of International Affairs, in collaboration with CASSIS, hosted a panel discussion on "Infrastructure, AI & Europe's path to digital sovereignty." In an increasingly digitalised world, keeping up with and following technological developments is a growing challenge for national governments and institutions such as the EU, especially in light of the new U.S. administration that took office in January 2025. The discussion shed light on how the EU and its Member States can remain competitive while protecting their interests and values.

All News ¹⁹

Current Media Contributions

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Dr. Frank Umbach in an interview with N-TV: USA could “gain control of Ukraine's economy”²⁰

In an interview with N-TV, security expert Dr. Hans-Dieter Heumann talks about the contradictory actions from Washington.

²¹

Dr. habil. Landry Charrier in an interview: Marine Le Pen convicted - What happens now²¹

Dr. habil. Landry Charrier, an expert on Franco-German relations, sheds light on the current situation following the conviction of Marie Le Pen and what this verdict means for Le Pen and her political career in an interview with :Newstime.

²²

Dr. Enrico Fels in heute journal on the dual-use problem in space²²

The Managing Director of CASSIS, Dr. Enrico Fels, explains how civilian satellites can also be used for military purposes - “dual use” - in the race for space and what problems can arise from this.

²³

Dr. habil. Landry Charrier - After the Le Pen ruling, a personnel issue puts France's right wing to the test²³

In light of tensions within the party and a damning court ruling against Marine Le Pen, the future of the Rassemblement National is increasingly becoming the focus of political debate in France. The discussion about her possible replacement and the role of party figures such as Jordan Bardella reveals deep-rooted power struggles within the right-wing camp. This is not just about personnel issues, but also about the strategic self-image of the French right and its influence on the political balance in a country that is facing a variety of domestic and foreign policy challenges.

²⁴

Dr. Joachim Weber in an interview with N-TV: Washington acts “like a bunch of chickens”²⁴

First Trump publicly discredits Ukraine President Zelensky, then he defends him from Putin. And the US President's course can hardly be “assessed on the basis of logic and reason”. This is what security expert Joachim Weber says. He sums up: “It's an example for the textbooks. This is not how it should be done.”

²⁵

Former ambassador Dr. Hans-Dieter Heumann on phoenix: Bundeswehr in times of war - Do we need to rethink?²⁵

In the current edition of phoenix runde, former ambassador Dr. Hans-Dieter Heumann discusses the current security situation in Germany.

²⁶

Dr. Heumann at WELT.de: “This summit in Paris shows that Europe is capable of acting and is becoming more so”²⁶

In Paris, the “coalition of the willing” is discussing security guarantees for Ukraine in order to secure a possible ceasefire. “An important meeting for the long-term support of Ukraine,” says Hans-Dieter Heumann, former President of the Federal Academy for Security Policy.

²⁷

Prof. Dr. Schlie: "Baerbock's Move to the UN is an Unusual Process"²⁷

The planned move of Annalena Baerbock, the Green Party politician and current Foreign Minister of Germany, to become President of the UN General Assembly is causing a stir. This position rotates annually between the five world regions of the United Nations, and for 2026, Western Europe is next in line. Although the position is generally a routine matter, there is criticism in Germany as Baerbock had previously cited her desire to spend more time on her private life as the reason for stepping back from top politics. Additionally, the German top diplomat Helga Schmid was initially slated for the position. The swift change to support Baerbock is seen as a political maneuver, which experts are calling "unusual."

All Media Contributions ²⁸

Events

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

All Events ²⁹

Upcoming events

Friday Apr 04, 2025 until Apr 06, 2025

³⁰

Spring School Outer Space Cooperation in the Middle East³⁰

Festsaal Universiy of ...

Whole Day

Space-based infrastructure is crucial to modern societies, supporting navigation, communication, weather forecasting, and military functions. As reliance on ...

Monday Apr 07, 2025 until Jul 07, 2025

³¹

Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age³¹

Hörsaal XIII, main ...

06:15 PM

The lecture series "Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age" at the University of Bonn examines how digital technologies influence power ...

Monday Apr 07, 2025

³²

Space Infrastructure and Technological Autonomy for Europe³²

Hörsaal XIII, main ...

06:15 PM - 07:45 PM

The lecture will be held by PD Dr. Antje Nötzold and is part of the lecture series "Infrastructure, Capitalism, and Dependency in the Digital Age". The ...

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025

³³

Iran: How the West Betrays Its Values and Interests³³

Universitätsforum, ...

07:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Ali Fathollah-Nejad, a recognized political scientist and Middle East expert, advocates for a paradigm shift in Iran policy and outlines key pillars for a more ...

Past events

Thursday Mar 27, 2025

³⁴

Das sino-russische Bündnis und die Rückkehr der Machtblöcke³⁴

Rheinallee 24, 53173 ...

06:00 PM - 08:30 PM

The public event "The Sino-Russian alliance and the return of the power blocs: Mao's and Stalin's long shadows?" explores the relationship between Russia and ...

Wednesday Mar 12, 2025

³⁵

Hotspot Latin America: Authoritarianism, Democracy & Geopolitics³⁵

Lennéstr. 27, 53113 Bonn

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Latin America plays an increasingly important role in the international politics and economy of the 21st century. At the same time, its countries face immense ...

Tuesday Mar 11, 2025

³⁶

German-French Strategic Dialogue: Disinformation (GER/FRA)³⁶

Online / Zoom

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

The deliberate spread of disinformation has dramatically gained importance in recent years and represents a central challenge for democracies around the world. ...

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025

³⁷

German Ukraine Policy: New Challenges and Strategies³⁷

Festsaal, Universität ...

06:00 PM

The Union of Ukrainian Students (UniBonn.UA), the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn, and the ...

Event Archive ³⁸

Current Scientific Publications

¹²

Publication of the Report by CASSIS of the University of Bonn and the EWI of the University of Cologne¹²

³⁹

After NATO — the way forward³⁹

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.

⁴⁰

Election campaign in focus: Disinformation and the Bundestag election 2025⁴⁰

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.

⁴¹

Enhancing European Space Access: Fostering Innovation Ecosystems to Strengthen EU Space Capabilities⁴¹

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.

⁴²

Follow-Up: Global Health in Crisis⁴²

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.

⁴³

U.S.-China Digital Fragmentation Is Putting the World in a Bind⁴³

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.

⁴⁴

Transatlantic Cooperation in the Chip War⁴⁴

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.

⁴⁵

Digital platforms in the agricultural sector: Dynamics of oligopolistic platformisation⁴⁵

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.