Media Contributions

Security expert Umbach on Ukraine¹

In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and international efforts to find a solution, the role of European states is increasingly gaining importance. From an American perspective, European partners are expected to take on more responsibility—both militarily and financially. A central symbol of this shift is the recent move to strengthen the NATO Contact Group for Ukraine, with the UK now taking the lead. This development reflects the expectations that Europe will become more involved in future security guarantees and the financing of Ukraine.

Joachim Weber on Phoenix: Jordan between US dependence and Arab solidarity²

In an interview with Phoenix der Tag, Joachim Weber, security expert at CASSIS University Bonn, explains the difficult diplomatic situation of the Jordanian king in light of Donald Trump's Gaza plans. Despite Jordan's critical stance towards these plans, the monarch must find a balance, as the country is financially dependent on U.S. support. Weber examines how this dependency affects Jordan's political behavior and what geopolitical tensions could arise from the king's visit to Washington.

Hans-Dieter Heumann and Landry Charrier at the ECFR on Europe's power – challenges and geopolitical opportunities.³

The European Union stands at a turning point in its geopolitical development. As uncertainty in international politics grows, current geopolitical analyses show that Europe has the potential to redefine its role as a global power. The article explores how European sovereignty, military competitiveness, and strategic cooperation between European states could become Europe's key strengths in the coming years.

⁴

Germany Before the Election: Election Campaign Between Uncertainty, Continuity, and Divisive Actors⁴

The political landscape in Germany is facing a decisive election, where uncertainty and divisions dominate the mood. The leading parties, primarily the SPD, CDU, and FDP, are under pressure to mobilize their electorate as political confrontations intensify. The election campaign is shaped not only by promises of continuity but also by deep divisions and controversial issues.

⁵

WDR interview with Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberger: The Chancellor candidates in the mirror of personality⁵

In the WDR 5 Tagesgespräch on February 10, 2025, political scientist Prof. Dr. Volker Kronenberger discusses the significant impact of personality traits such as sympathy and authenticity on the perception of the Chancellor candidates. In addition to a detailed analysis of the five nominated candidates, Kronenberger emphasizes that the responsibility of the incumbent Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, plays a central role in the current political situation.

⁶

Hans-Dieter Heumann in Focus Online on the Danger of Flawed Peace Negotiations and False Hopes for Ukraine⁶

The war in Ukraine has not only military but also significant political and strategic consequences for Europe. Experts like Viktoria Boiko and Hans-Dieter Heumann warn against dangerous illusions of a quick peace. They emphasize that Russia has weakened Europe's ability to act through hybrid warfare, which jeopardizes support for Ukraine. An early attempt at peace, when Russia is in a strong position and Ukraine in a weak negotiating position, could have severe consequences for European security.

⁷

Hans-Dieter Heumann on ZDF - Reconstruction and the Role of Arab States in the Middle East⁷

In this discussion, Anke Plättner moderates an in-depth conversation about the geopolitical challenges in the Middle East. Experts Melinda Crane, Prof. Thomas Jäger, Hans-Dieter Heumann, and Moritz Koch discuss, among other things, proposals for the reconstruction of Palestinian territories, which have been brought up by various political actors, including Donald Trump. Special attention is given to how Arab states are involved in this discussion. While some Arab countries may play a role in the reconstruction process, it remains unclear how they will address the question of whether and how Palestinians could settle in their countries. The experts also discuss the opportunities and challenges of normalizing relations between Israel and the Arab states and their significance for the stability of the region.

⁸

Despite the asylum dispute: Political expert dismisses major concerns about the Chancellor⁸

Volker Kronenberg, a political scientist, assesses the recent vote in the Bundestag on asylum policy as problematic. The CDU/CSU passed their proposal to tighten asylum laws by securing the support of the AfD for the first time. Kronenberg sees this move as risky, as it exposes the political dilemma of the Union: While they are responding to growing public dissatisfaction, there is a lack of sustainable majorities in the political center. The impact on upcoming elections remains unclear, but the political divide is likely to persist.

Previous 8 items ⁹
1¹⁰
...
10¹¹
11¹²
12⁹
13
14¹³
15¹⁴
16¹⁵
...
78¹⁶
Next 8 items ¹³

Links