James D. Bindenagel, born in 1949, is regarded as a leading expert on transatlantic relations with a special focus on German-American relations, of which he has in-depth knowledge and first-hand practical experience resulting from 30 years of service that he gained during his professional career as a diplomat in the service of the United States of America over the course of three decades. Prof. Bindenagel worked for the US State Department as well as for US consulates and embassies. From 1996 to 1997, he served as US Ambassador to Germany.

At the University of Bonn

In 2014, James D. Bindenagel took over the Henry Kissinger Chair and became director of the Center for International Security and Governance (CISG) at the University of Bonn. His work as Henry Kissinger Professor was based on three pillars: Promoting the public discrouse on security policy in Germany; evaluating and discussing current policies in the field of traditional and non-traditional security challenges; and further developing research and teaching in matters of international security at the University of Bonn.

In 2016, Bindenagel established the International Security Forum at the University of Bonn, which has been growing continuously in size and public recognition over the following years. During the annual Forum, the University of Bonn received distinguished international scholars and practitioners of foreign and security policy. Prof. Bindenagel established a comprehensive program of public lectures during which renowned international relations scholars such as John J. Mearsheimer (University of Chicago), Stephen Walt (Harvard University) and Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook (Harvard University) spoke at the University of Bonn. He has contributed to raising the profile of the University and the City of Bonn in foreign and security policy debates in Germany and Europe. After the end of his tenure as Henry Kissinger Professor in September 2019, he continued his work as a Senior Professor at the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) until September 2022. Since October 2022 he is a Senior Fellow at CASSIS.