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Power in Progress

Enhancing Female Leadership in Governance Processes in Kenya

An analysis of structural, institutional and cultural barriers for female participation in leadership positions, as well as the strategic importance for strengthening it. The analysis will draw on examples from Nairobi and Kitui County.

Chiara Altmann
August 22, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Reactions to US President Trump's peace efforts for Ukraine

Momentum — but toward what end?

One of President Donald Trump's campaign promises was a quick end to the war in Ukraine. After months of mixed signals about what such a solution might entail, Trump met first with Russian President Vladimir Putin, then with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European heads of state and government.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
August 21, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

Bolivia votes socialism out of office

Historic election brings clear paradigm shift

“Capitalism for all!” - With this slogan, Rodrigo Paz achieved a surprise victory in the first round of the presidential elections in Bolivia, which had been ruled by socialists for almost 20 years. He will face off against fellow opposition candidate and economic liberal “Tuto” Quiroga in a runoff election on October 19. The centre-right opposition also won a landslide victory in parliament: the long-standing ruling party MAS will practically no longer be represented there. Meanwhile, former President Evo Morales is manifesting himself as extra-parliamentary resistance, having been significantly more successful with his call for invalid votes than the various left-wing candidates at the polls.

Dr. Christina Stolte
August 19, 2025
Country reports
stock.adobe.com/A2Z AI

India's importance for Germany's science and innovation

From Bangalore to Berlin: Indian students strengthen STEM fields and contribute to securing skilled labor

India is becoming increasingly important to Germany as a geopolitical partner and hub of innovation, especially due to its young population, strong economic growth, and technological progress. With around 50,000 individuals, Indian students form the largest international group in Germany, particularly in STEM fields. Many stay after graduation and work in highly skilled professions. To better harness their potential, more English-language degree programs, faster visa processes, affordable housing, language support, practical training opportunities, and strong integration networks are needed.

Jan Wöpking, Felise Maennig-Fortmann
August 11, 2025
Facts and Findings
IMAGO / UPI Photo

Historic Breakthrough for Peace in the South Caucasus?

Pashinyan and Aliyev sign groundbreaking agreements with Trump on peace and infrastructure projects between Armenia and Azerbaijan

On August 8, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House for a “historic peace summit.” Both countries declared a permanent renunciation of war, endorsed 17 negotiated provisions of a future peace treaty, and formally withdrew from the OSCE Minsk Group. At the heart of the agreement lies the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), an infrastructure initiative in Armenia’s Syunik region encompassing railways, pipelines, and fiber-optic networks. In exchange, the United States receives exclusive development rights for 99 years, while Armenia retains formal sovereignty over the territory. The deal diminishes Russia’s regional influence, strengthens Turkey’s strategic position, and provokes discontent in Iran. For Armenia, the agreement opens up new trade opportunities but also entails risks due to the rupture with traditional partners and domestic political criticism. Azerbaijan gains a direct land corridor to Turkey, access to new markets, and enhanced international prestige. For the United States, the deal offers economic and security benefits as well as a boost in global political standing. The European Union sees potential for regional stabilization and new trade routes but must acknowledge its diminished role as a mediator compared to Washington. If successfully implemented, the agreements could mark a historic turning point for the South Caucasus.

Jakob Wöllenstein
August 11, 2025
Country reports
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

The Future of Sustainable Development in Flux

As the global development landscape reorganizes, multilateral cooperation must remain at its core

One decade after their adoption, the Sustainable Development Goals remain off track amid growing insecurity, dwindling financial commitment, and eroding trust in multilateralism. As time runs out for the 2030 Agenda, can the international community meet the moment with the urgency and unity needed?

Thomas Tödtling, Teresa Val
August 6, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Eibner

Climate policy-motivated sabotage – Extreme forms of action in the name of the climate

How left-wing extremist forms of action are increasingly expanding their thematic focus to include the climate crisis

Climate protection is being exploited in some cases for acts of extremist sabotage. Left-wing extremist groups use violence to target infrastructure, businesses and government institutions. This article analyses three categories of action and highlights international networks – such as the transnational Switch Off network. Also it provides detailed recommendations for politicians, security authorities, academics and civil society on how to protect legitimate protest and effectively counter further radicalisation.

Felix Neumann
August 4, 2025
Facts and Findings
European Union, 2025, CC BY 4.0

Trade Agreement Between the U.S. and EU Enables Further Transatlantic Cooperation

The Stakes Go Beyond Tariffs

The outcome is sobering: at the eleventh hour, the EU and the U.S. reached a trade agreement that imposes tariffs once considered unthinkable. Important transatlantic trade is paying the price for further transatlantic cooperation on security issues.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
July 31, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Kyodo News

Suddenly in the Lead – Germany’s New Role in Global Health

On the new opportunities for Germany’s foreign, economic and security policy

Germany has assumed a leadership role in global health following the U.S. withdrawal. This new responsibility offers opportunities for foreign policy influence, security resilience, and economic strength. Germany’s high international standing is based not only on financial contributions but also on its position in science and innovative industry. Strengthening and institutionalizing this role could benefit Germany.

Lukas Lingenthal
July 31, 2025
Facts and Findings
smarterpics / NewAfrica

Rule of Law Report 2025

The most important findings at a glance

In July 2025, the EU Commission published its Rule of Law Report for the year 2025. While some countries in south-eastern Europe were formally certified as having made progress, the reality on the ground is often more complex. Albania, for example, has completed initial judicial vetting and adopted a new justice strategy, yet faces persistent administrative backlogs, unfilled positions, and political interference that undermine these reforms. Similarly, Bulgaria experiences repeated legislative and constitutional deadlocks that obstruct essential judicial reforms, with continued disproportionate influence of the Prosecutor General and Parliament over the judiciary. Public and business perceptions of corruption remain high everywhere, with anti-corruption efforts yielding minimal high-level convictions despite institutional restructuring. Across the region, a critical perspective reveals that legislative changes often mask deeper, unresolved issues. In Croatia, public trust in the justice system remains low, despite active oversight bodies. Montenegro's judiciary has seen a significant plummet in public trust, alongside staffing gaps and growing case backlogs. North Macedonia's judicial reforms are hampered by poor coordination, funding, and staffing shortages, leading to low public trust and growing case backlogs. In Serbia, persistent political interference and staffing shortfalls fuel a lack of public confidence in the judiciary. Media freedom faces challenges, including concentrated ownership with political ties, lack of transparency in state advertising, and intimidation of journalists. For all these countries, progress is fragile and susceptible to reversal without deeper, consistent enforcement, and demonstrable improvements in judicial independence, media freedom, and institutional checks and balances.

Dr. Pavel Usvatov, Alina Monceanu, Dr. Mahir Muharemović
July 31, 2025
Country reports

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