A New Epicentre of Terrorism?

West Africa in a Downward Spiral of Extremism and Fragile Statehood

The interplay of fragile statehood and the spread of extremism and organised crime is destabilising more and more countries in West Africa. While most Western actors are predominantly focused on Mali and Niger, terror and instability are spreading southward. The example of Burkina Faso shows just where this can lead.

Different and Yet the Same?

Prospects for a New Start in Israeli-Turkish Relations

Relations between Turkey and Israel are thawing. Historic visits by foreign ministers and Israel’s president have highlighted the desire of both countries for rapprochement. However, this process may be impeded by domestic politics and the Middle East conflict. Turkey, as the driving force, has a strong interest in an energy partnership, whereas Israel is approaching the Turkish charm offensive with a degree of caution. However, if the rapprochement succeeds, both Brussels and Berlin should be supporting this process.

Editorial

A state has to fulfil certain basic criteria if it is to be considered a functioning state. It has to ensure the security of its citizens, provide public utilities, and prevent arbitrary actions and corruption. If we take a look around the world, it is clear that – unfortunately – many countries are still far from achieving this. In extreme cases, they cannot even guarantee a minimum level of law and order, and the state’s monopoly on the use of force is replaced by terrorist groups, warlords, or organised crime. In other countries, the situation is less clear-cut. They may be functioning states in certain areas, but are failing to adequately fulfil their duties in others. There is a broad continuum between consolidation and disintegration.

Of the Child Who Never Learned to Walk

South Sudan’s Statehood: A Story of Failure

When South Sudan became the 55th African country to march into independence in July 2011 following five painful decades of conflict with (North) Sudan, there was a great sense of euphoria. But less than three years later, South Sudan was the frontrunner in an unfortunate category: the 2014 Fragile States Index ranking identified it as the most fragile state in the world. In the meantime, a brutal civil war broke out after the first government collapsed. It was not until 2018 that the warring parties were able to agree on a shaky peace treaty, the implementation of which continues to be difficult to this day. South Sudan’s statehood is a story of failure. A search for explanations.

Symptoms and Outcomes of a Fragile State

Myanmar before and after the Coup d’État

When on 1 February 2021, the Burmese army – the Tatmadaw – seized power in yet another coup d’état, the event caught some observers by surprise. Yet it did not emerge out of the blue. Resulting from state fragility only superficially concealed by economic growth and a top-down political liberalisation, the military’s seizure of power in turn eroded what was left of stability in Myanmar’s state institutions.

Leuchtfeuer am Ende des Tunnels

Überlegungen zur Europapolitik aus christdemokratischer Perspektive

Ob beim Welthandel, der Wahrung unserer Sicherheit oder bei der Verteidigung unserer demokratischen Werte im globalen Wettbewerb mit autoritären Mächten – überall gilt: Nur gemein­sam können wir Europäer uns behaupten. Aber damit sich die EU auf diese zentralen Aufgaben konzentrieren kann, braucht es Mut zur Lücke. Die Europäische Union kann nicht jedes vermeintlich wünschenswerte Anliegen auf ihre Agenda heben und auch nicht jeden Staat, der ihr beitreten will, aufnehmen. Hier könnte der spezifisch christdemokratische Beitrag zu einer erfolgreichen Europapolitik liegen.

“Defending What Matters to Us”

60 Years of International Work by the Konrad-Adenauer-­Stiftung and the Foreign Policy Challenges Facing Us Today

As vice-chair of the Christian Democratic CDU/CSU parliamentary group and a foreign policy expert, Johann Wadephul is clearly the ideal person to talk to about the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s international work – a fact further underscored by his schedule: arriving at his office, we find him coming out of a meeting with a delegation of Latin American politicians who have travelled to Europe at the invitation of our institution. Of course, besides the question of what the foundation’s international work can achieve, the interview also addresses the foreign policy challenges arising from the invasion of Ukraine.

Between Environmental Protection and Security of Supply

Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy and the Ukraine War

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) represents an important funding instrument for supporting farmers and ensuring food security in Europe. For several years, it has born increased responsibility for transforming the agricultural sector in the interests of environmental and climate protection. However, the war in Ukraine acts as a game changer focusing the CAP on security of supply once again.

Can Climate Change Be Fought in International Human Rights Courts?

The Potential and Limitations of the Law with Regard to Climate Change Issues

The environment and climate change are increasingly posing key challenges for the courts. Their judgements can send out important signals. However, not least in the inter­national context, it is clear that these institutions wield varying degrees of influence – and it is difficult to implement their verdicts.

Editorial

A federal minister from the Green Party travelling to the Gulf States to arrange the delivery of larger quantities of fossil fuels for consumption in Germany – for many, this is emblematic of how the parameters have shifted in spring 2022, including on energy policy. The Russian attack on Ukraine has changed many things – not least our view of how we use resources. Previously, this view was characterised by our attempts to reconcile economic efficiency and ecological sustainability, but now this has been supplemented by something that, objectively speaking, has always been important but largely absent from public debate in Germany: power.