A New Stage in the Rivalry Between the Great Powers?

How China, India and the USA Are Competing for Influence in the Indian Ocean

As the geopolitical and geo-economic importance of the Indian Ocean continues to grow, economic and strategic interests threaten to make it a more frequent scene of rivalries between the great powers India, the USA and China. Along with the Pacific, the Indian Ocean is thereby one of the main stages for potential conflict between old and new powers. But the European Union, and especially Germany, should also be doing more to defend their interests in the Indian Ocean.

An African Afghanistan?

On the German Troop Deployment in Mali

A lack of state structures, frequent attacks by Islamic extremists, poverty, and a steady expansion of military involvement on the part of Europe – in German public debate, the mission in Mali is compared to the situation in Afghanistan. Despite all efforts, strong words and support from Western nations, efforts have failed to significantly weaken the Islamists. Vast swathes of the country are beyond the control of the central government, allowing the Malian desert to become a haven for terrorist groups. Why is Germany involved, what is the situation today, and what does the future look like?

Editorial

The “golden age of security”, as the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig characterised the time before the First World War, ended just over 100 years ago. After the atrocities of two world wars and the end of the so-called Cold War, many hoped that the cessation of the East-West conflict would herald the beginning of a new era of security – but those remaining hopes were shattered no later than the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

From Trinkets to Values

China’s Engagement in Africa Also Has an Ideological Dimension

China’s engagement in Africa attracts both enthusiastic proponents and vehement critics. Does Beijing have a master plan for subjugating the entire African continent? What is certain is that Africa is part of China’s global strategy, in which disinformation and propaganda appear to be as important when it comes to protecting Chinese interests as trade relationships and naval bases.

Invisible Enemies

Why Viruses and Bacteria Constitute a Security Policy Issue

Diseases are hardly a thing of the past. In fact, it is quite the contrary, as the risk of rapid spread of infectious diseases is greater than ever before. For this reason and because of their drastic socio-economic consequences, epidemics and pandemics are increasingly being assessed through the prism of security. This makes health a matter of national security –and some people are still not happy with this idea.

Is Islam a Part of Eastern Europe?

Thoughts on History, Religion, and National Identity in the Eastern EU Countries

The refugee crisis revealed lines of division in the EU that hadpreviously been hidden, especially with respect to the easternmember states. The discussion in Germany often fails to takesufficient account of the variety of experiences and perspectivesin these countries. One significant explanatory factor forthe reaction to the reception of refugees from Islamic countriesis the historic understanding of national identity.

Jordan and the Jihadist Threat

How Stable is Germany’s Ally in the Middle East?

Jordan is widely considered to be an “anchor of stability” in a crisis-ridden region. That is why Germany is also seeking to extend its strategic partnership, not least noticeable through their relocation of its Bundeswehr Tornado jets from Turkey to Jordan. It should be noted, however, that Jordan is currently facing some immense economic and domestic challenges. These include a jihadist scene, in which recent developments suggest that the country is still at risk of terrorist attacks, necessitating innovative approaches for preventing extremism.

Symbiotic Interactions

On the Connection between Drug-Trafficking, the Legal Economy and State Power in Brazil

The illegal drug trade in Brazil might not be as separated from the world of state power as one would like to believe. Rather, based on historical developments, a significant number of socio-politically entrenched, symbiotic interactions can be traced between the two. A focus on four aspects of this relationship illustrates how both sides seem to benefit from this arrangement.

Der letzte Friedenskaiser?

Anmerkungen zu Japans Monarchie und dem schwierigen Umgang mit der Vergangenheit

Wenn der japanische Kaiser Akihito 2019 zugunsten seines Sohnes, Kronprinz Naruhito, zurücktritt, wird das das erste Mal in über 200 Jahren sein, dass ein Kaiser noch zu Lebzeiten abdankt. Der Rücktritt Akihitos, der „überall Frieden“ bei Amtsantritt zu seiner Regierungsdevise gemacht hatte, fällt in eine Phase, in der sich Japan zunehmend von seiner pazifistischen Identität entfernt. Zeit die Vergangenheit ruhen zu lassen?

Editorial

Will we work only a few hours a week one day because robots and algorithms do most of our work for us? How will digitalisation change our interactions, political decision-making processes, and geopolitical contexts? Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future. Nevertheless, the contributions to this issue do not limit themselves to the current state of digitalisation, but venture a look into the digital future.