Breadcrumb

Asset Publisher

The current issue


Systemic Conflict? No Thanks! Why Many States Are Not Taking Sides and What That Means for Us

The notion of a “systemic conflict” has increasingly found its way into our discussions on foreign policy in recent years. Russia’s war against Ukraine, mounting tensions between the US and China: all these phenomena are interpreted within the framework of a clash between liberal-democratic systems and authoritarian ones. And although this interpretation might not be entirely misled, we have to face this fact: the overwhelming majority of states worldwide does not show even the slightest inclination to fit into a bloc logic of any kind or to make abstract normative issues the guiding principle of their foreign policy. To know why pragmatism should be our answer to this finding, read the new issue of International Reports!

Show table of contents

Content

System Conflict? No Thanks! Why Many States Are Not Taking Sides and What That Means for Us

  • Editorial

    When the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union disintegrated, it was more than just the final chord of a conflict in power politics between East and West: it was also the end of a clash between two disparate systems, two world views. The concept of the liberal market democracy had prevailed over the utopia of a communist world revolution. In the West in particular, a period of optimism began. Now that this clash of ideologies had dissolved, democracy could triumph across the globe – or so many people thought at the time.

    by Gerhard Wahlers

  • “We Need to Stop Looking at Things Solely from a European Perspective”

    On “Value-driven Pragmatism” in Foreign Policy and the Work of Political Foundations

    Being pragmatic is not the same as being arbitrary or betraying your values – in fact, it is an imperative for German and European foreign policy, says Caroline Kanter, new Deputy Head of the European and International Cooperation Department at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, in an interview with International Reports. She explains why this applies equally to the work done by the foundation abroad.Department at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, in an interview with International Reports. She explains why this applies equally to the work done by the foundation abroad.

    by Sören Soika, Fabian Wagener

  • “Nobody Wants to Be on the Wrong Side of History”

    Systemic Rivalry and Unity in Defence of the UN Charter

    In view of the Russian attack on Ukraine, a clear majority of states around the world are demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from the neighboring country when called to vote in the United Nations General Assembly. And yet there are considerable differences in their willingness to impose sanctions and in the interpretation of the conflict and its geopolitical background. Many countries see no reason to clearly choose one global political camp. Their UN representatives present various arguments to explain that position – and the West should listen to them.

    by Andrea Ellen Ostheimer

  • Many New Alliances

    The Middle East and North Africa in the Global “Systemic Rivalry”

    There is consensus in the West that the outcome of the war in Ukraine will decide whether authoritarian states such as Russia and China can be countered in their thirst for power so as to defend the rules-based order. Based on this ­interpretation, the war is a global systemic conflict between democracy and autocracy in which the West expects support from the ­countries ­of the so-called Global South as well. The reality is quite different, however: the “Global South” is going its own way. This applies to the states of the Middle East and North Africa, too. While they condemn the Russian attack almost without exception, they have a different ­perspective on what has been called Zeitenwende in Germany – and are becoming increasingly estranged from the West.

    by Canan Atilgan

  • A Laboratory of Systemic Rivalry

    The South Caucasus between Russia and the European Union

    The systemic rivalry between Russia and the EU plays a central role in the South Caucasus. Moscow regards the region as an exclusive zone of influence, while Brussels formulates offers of cooperation. The states of the South Caucasus act differently in this area of tension – also because the room for manoeuvre varies from country to country.

    by Stephan Malerius

  • What Colour Is the Lotus?

    India Chooses Not to See a Systemic Conflict

    In United Nations votes on Russia’s war against Ukraine, the “world’s largest democracy” regularly abstains, as India continues to cultivate relations with Moscow. Appeals to morality will do nothing to change this. If the Western states want to create stronger ties with India, they must make the country concrete offers that support its economic development and increase its security vis-à-vis China.

    by Lewe Paul

  • “I Am Pro-myself”

    Uganda’s Response to Russia’s War of Aggression against Ukraine

    “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” This is an African proverb frequently heard in Uganda when people talk about Russia’s current war of aggression against Ukraine, in reference to the impact on the African continent. The United States and the West on the one hand and Russia on the other are seen as the big elephants. The political elite in Uganda has officially adopted a neutral stance, while at the same time attempting to use the international situation that has arisen to its own advantage. Against this background, Germany should clearly define its own interests and strengths and bring these into play in a targeted way to our mutual advantage.

    by Anna Reismann

  • The Courted Bride?

    Argentina in the New Global Order

    In times of an energy and food crisis triggered by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the countries of the European Union are among those increasingly looking to Argentina again. The South American G20 country is the third largest economy in Latin America and holds enormous potential, especially in the areas of energy and food production.1 Yet Argentina has long been courted intensely by the major powers China and Russia due to its wealth of resources and its strategic location as a gateway to the Antarctic. How is the country positioning itself within the new power structure, and what are the interests and needs that shape Argentina’s foreign policy?

    by Susanne Käss

  • Climate Action in the Global South

    Revitalised Cooperation or Exacerbated Polarisation?

    Combining climate protection with economic progress is key if we want to revitalise our cooperation with developing and emerging countries. Sustainability can provide an added value in this context, if and when it makes concrete contributions to partner countries’ development. Its own ambivalent climate policies, as well as geopolitical dynamics should be enough reason for Germany and the EU to choose a pragmatic, flexible and strategic approach to these partnerships.

    by Sabina Wölkner

Asset Publisher

Media library

Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts
Südchinesisches Meer: Einblicke in einen „geopolitischen Hotspot“
Neben Taiwan ist das Südchinesische Meer derzeit der geopolitische Hotspot im Indopazifik. Warum das so ist, das besprechen wir in dieser Folge mit dem Asien-Experten Jan Senkyr.
Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts
Russische Propaganda weltweit: Was wir dagegen tun können
Wir fassen wir die Ergebnisse unserer Podcast-Serie mit unserer Expertin für Medienpolitik Daphne Wolter zusammen. Was wir alle gegen Fake News und Desinformation tun?
Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts
Die umworbene Braut: Wie positioniert sich Argentinien im neuen globalen Machtgefüge?
In dieser Ausgabe von Auslandsinfo Spotlight klären wir mit unserer Expertin Susanne Käss, wie sich Argentinien im neuen globalen Machtgefüge positioniert.
Neue Folge von „Auslandsinfo Spotlight“
Zeitenwende im Pazifik: Warum Japan seine Sicherheitspolitik neu ausrichtet
Mit dem Japan-Experten Max Duckstein schauen wir auf die „japanische Zeitenwende“.
Neue Ausgabe von „Auslandsinfo Spotlight“
Systemkonflikt? Nein danke! Warum sich viele Staaten nicht auf eine Seite schlagen...
Wir sprechen mit dem Außenpolitiker Peter Beyer und der Politikwissenschaftlerin Dr. Canan Atilgan.
Neue Podcastfolge von „Auslandsinfo Spotlight“
Signal der Geschlossenheit? Der NATO-Gipfel in Vilnius und die Zukunft der Ukraine
Bald findet der NATO-Gipfel in Vilnius statt. Wir sprechen mit den Expertinnen Dr. Christina Krause und Christina Bellmann u.a. darüber, welches Signal nach Russland gesendet wird.
Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts
Die Republik Moldau unter Druck: Wie Russland einen Keil in die Gesellschaft treibt
Die Lage in der Republik Moldau ist angespannt, weil Russland Moldau destabilisiert. Mit welchen Mitteln? Mit welchem Erfolg? Und warum sind die kommenden 1,5 Jahre so wichtig?
Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts „Auslandsinfo Spotlight“
Politik und Umweltschutz in der Antarktis: Miriam Wolter und Antje Boetius im Gespräch
Wie stark bedroht der Klimawandel den überwiegend von Eis bedeckten Kontinent? Und was muss getan werden, um diese auch für die Wissenschaft so bedeutsame Region zu schützen?
Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts
Pressefreiheit in Kenia, Uganda und Südafrika: Der tägliche Kampf des Lokaljournalismus
In dieser Ausgabe sprechen wir mit den Gewinnern des KAS Media Africa Award for Local Journalism: Raquel Muigai (Kenia), Jeff Wicks (Südafrika) und Esther Oluka (Uganda).
Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts Auslandsinfo Spotlight
Russlands Krieg und die globale Ordnung: Carlo Masala im Gespräch
. In dieser Folge unseres Podcasts sprechen wir mit dem Politikwissenschaftler Carlo Masala über das Expansionsstreben Moskaus und die internationale Ordnung.

Asset Publisher

About this series

International Reports (IR) is the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's periodical on international politics. It offers political analyses by our experts in Berlin and from more than 100 offices across all regions of the world. Contributions by named authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial team.

Ordering Information

Our periodical on international politics is published four times a year. We provide you with background information on what is happening in the world – free of charge. Use our registration form and with just a few clicks you can read the digital version of our political journal or order the print version in German or English.

Editor

Dr. Gerhard Wahlers

ISBN

0177-7521

Benjamin Gaul

Benjamin Gaul

Head of the Department International Reports and Communication

benjamin.gaul@kas.de +49 30 26996 3584

Dr. Sören Soika

Dr

Editor-in-Chief International Reports (Ai)

soeren.soika@kas.de +49 30 26996 3388

Kim Karcher

Portrait von Kim Karcher

Referentin Kommunikation und Vermarktung

kim.karcher@kas.de +49 30 / 2 69 96 - 2387

Breadcrumb