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International Reports and Communication

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The International Reports and Communication department in the European and International Cooperation division is responsible for the International Reports (Ai) of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), a journal on international issues, foreign policy and development cooperation published four times a year. In addition to the printed edition, the Ai also offer an information platform on the international work of our over 100 Foundation offices on the website www.auslandsinformationen.de.

Freedom of the press and freedom of opinion are fundamental prerequisites for the functioning of a democracy and thus a focal point of our work abroad, which finds expression in the form of international media programmes at our offices in Johannesburg, Singapore and Sofia. The International Reports and Communication department is responsible for the coordination of these activities, as well as for the annual F.A.Z.-KAS debate organised jointly with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, the aim of which is to give greater weight to important discussions on foreign policy issues in Germany.

The department is also the point of contact for our Foundation offices and consults and supports them in the areas of social media strategies and multimedia formats.

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The current issue

Cover International Reports 1/2021


Global Power Shifts

Power shifts are a fundamental phenomenon underpinning global politics. Today, again, the world finds itself in a phase of major shifts in the international order, of which the rise of the People’s Republic of China to become a great power is just the most obvious expression. These changes reflect the slow tectonic shifts of the earth’s crust – and these shifts create tensions. In such an environment, it is important for Germany and Europe to consistently emphasise what they stand for and what they advocate: a multilateral, liberal world order.

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Content

Global Power Shifts

  • Editorial of the issue "Global Power Shifts"

    Power shifts are a fundamental phenomenon underpinning global politics. In 1990, as the bipolar world order finally unravelled, US political scientist Joseph S. Nye wrote: “Just as farmers and meteorologists try to forecast storms, so do leaders and analysts try to understand the dynamics of major changes in the distribution of power among nations.”

    by Gerhard Wahlers

  • It’s Time to Reshape the West!

    “America is back!”: With US President Joe Biden, there is now potential for an ambitious transatlantic policy. We should devote all our energy to reforging the alliance between Europe and the US. Anything else would be fatal, as disunity in the West only plays into the hands of our systemic rivals China and Russia. What do we need to do right now?

    by Peter Beyer

  • A Question of Identity

    The EU Needs to Become a Global Player in the Changing World Order

    The European Union’s internal structures are currently plagued by division. These rifts all boil down to a question of identity: What is the EU? At the same time, the changing world order is forcing the EU to decide who it wants to be. The answer is clear: It must take steps to become a global player.

    by Hardy Ostry, Ludger Bruckwilder

  • “The International System Is under Serious Pressure”

    Germany’s Two-Year Term as a Member of the United Nations Security Council

    For the past two years, Germany has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. For International Reports, Andrea Ellen Ostheimer, Head of the Konrad-Adenauer-­Stiftung’s New York office, talks to diplomat Christoph Heusgen about the challenges and achievements of this period, the role of China ­and Russia, and Germany’s foreign policy compass.

    by Andrea Ellen Ostheimer

  • Security Policy in the Indo-Pacific

    How Can Germany Turn its Words into Deeds?

    In its new “Policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific”, the German government commits to assuming greater responsibility for foreign policy to address shifts in the global balance of power and regional challenges. But what exactly could an ambitious Indo-Pacific policy look like? And what does the region expect of Germany? An analysis based on the examples of India, Japan, and Singapore.

    by Lewe Paul, Isabel Weininger

  • “A New and Less Benign Strategic Area”

    Australia as a Strategic Power in the Indo-Pacific Region

    When Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled his country’s new defence strategy in 2020, he announced a shift towards “a new and less benign strategic area”. With the dawn of a new era, defined by the end of the unchallenged hegemony of the US and the seemingly unstoppable rise of China, Australia is starting to view itself as a regional power and the guardian of a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. The geoeconomic and geostrategic balance of the Indo-Pacific has perhaps shifted more rapidly and dramatically than in any other region of the world. With its key position in the South West Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean, Australia is taking on a proactive leadership role – together with like-minded partners in the region and around the globe.

    by Beatrice Gorawantschy, Barbara Völkl

  • Will ­COVID-19 Accelerate a Global Power Shift?

    China’s Growing Ideological Influence in Africa

    The fight against the ­COVID-19 pandemic is not only a fight against ­SARS-CoV-2 but also part of the rivalry to dominate the global narrative and to exert political and economic influence. Particularly in light of the worsening relations between China and the US, management of the pandemic and respective policy successes or failures are becoming political issues. Accordingly, the Chinese Communist Party (­CCP) is using the pandemic on an ideological level to drive the shift in global power – with a particular focus on Africa.

    by Anna Wasserfall, Tom Bayes

  • The Art of Making Friends

    How the Chinese Communist Party Seduces Political Parties in Latin America

    China is increasingly turning its attention to Latin America’s political parties. Beijing is using lavish official visits and ­diplomatic pressure to yoke Latin American party officials ­to its geopolitical ambitions. Without critical public debate, the rhetoric of bilateral “friendship” threatens to undermine democracy in Latin America. Any belief that the Chinese Communist Party will engage in an equal dialogue with Latin America’s democratic parties remains a dangerous illusion.

    by Juan Pablo Cardenal, Sebastian Grundberger

  • Of Bridges and Gateways

    Turkey’s Regional Power Aspirations

    The bridge to Asia. A gateway to the Middle East and Europe. For centuries, Turkey has been considered a country linking the Western and Eastern worlds. Whether that be due to Turkish military bases used by ­NATO as bridgeheads to the Middle East, or the threats made by its president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to “open the gates” to Europe for the millions of refugees accommodated by Turkey, ­NATO member and EU candidate Turkey has been increasingly presenting the Western alliance with a fait accompli over recent years.

    by Walter Glos, Nils Lange

  • Cyber Capabilities as a New Resource of Power

    Conflicts in the Digital Sphere

    Cyber capabilities are becoming increasingly important in international relations. States with the ability to conduct cyber operations are in a strong position to expand their scope of influence in the international arena. This is particularly true for small and medium-sized countries with few traditional power resources, as cyber capabilities allow them to seriously weaken more powerful states.

    by Jason Chumtong, Christina Stolte

Other Topics

  • Outdated Elites, New Sense of Identity

    Leaderless Revolutions and the ­­­Crisis of Arab Authorities

    Ten years after the onset of the “Arab Spring”, cracks are appearing again in the autocratic façade of the Middle East and North Africa. However, the struggle to find an alternative to the ruling elite has failed due to the lack of organised political parties capable of translating anger on the streets into constructive political participation.

    by Simon Engelkes

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Management

Management

Benjamin Gaul

Benjamin Gaul

Head of the Department International Reports and Communication

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

Team

Team member

Dr. Sören Soika

Dr

Editor-in-Chief International Reports (Ai)

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

Rana Taskoparan

Rana Taskoparan

Referentin Kommunikation und Vermarktung

rana.taskoparan@kas.de +49 30 26 996 3623
Team member

Magdalena Falkner

Magdalena Falkner

Multimedia editor

magdalena.falkner@kas.de +49 30 26996-3585
Contact

Maxi-Laura Krüger

Maxi-Laura Krüger bild

Secretary / Assistant

Maxi-Laura.Krueger@kas.de +49 30 26996-3384 +49 30 26996-53384

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Media library

New episode of “International Reports”

Maritime security: the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ and the protection of critical infrastructure

Foreign policy tensions are also having an impact on the world's oceans. Russia's „shadow fleet“ threatens underwater cables & pipelines. How well prepared is Germany?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Tensions with the USA - Canada's view towards Europe

Canada's relationship with the USA is becoming more difficult. Prime Minister Mark Carney now wants to realign the country's foreign policy - with a stronger focus on Europe.

New episode of “International Reports”

Why Lake Chad Offers Ideal Conditions for Islamist Terrorists

Lake Chad's shrinkage created islands and streams—ideal terrain for jihadists spreading across Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon, fueled by poverty and climate change.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Ecuador: In the stranglehold of the drug cartels

Ecuador is turning from a tourist destination into a drug hub. Gangs rule Guayaquil, violence is escalating and Europe's cocaine consumption plays a central role.

First episode of “International Reports”

Flashpoint in the South China Sea

KAS has launched "International Reports," its new English-language podcast. The first episode covers geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Maritime security: Russia's „shadow fleet“ and the protection of critical infrastructure in the sea.

Foreign policy tensions are also having an impact on the world's oceans. Russia's „shadow fleet“ threatens underwater cables & pipelines. How well prepared is Germany?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Regional power Turkey: geopolitical winner in the Middle East?

Turkey, often described as a bridge between Europe and Asia, is a key player in the Middle East. But what are the central lines of Turkish foreign policy?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Professor of Military History Sönke Neitzel: Is the West at the end?

Is the USA turning its back on Europe and thus breaking up a partnership that for decades was considered essential for European security and freedom?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

WHO without the USA: A risk for global health?

Trump completes the USA's withdrawal from the WHO. What are the consequences of the withdrawal of the largest donor?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Escalation in eastern Congo: what happens next?

The Congo conflict escalates: Rebels capture Goma and threaten Kinshasa. Political scientist Jakob Kerstan analyzes the background and the role of Rwanda in the podcast.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Cuba: From myth to drama

Cuba is on the verge of collapse. What are the reasons for this situation? What role do the one-party regime, the USA and international politics play?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

The Pacific Island Countries: In the focus of the great powers

The Pacific Island Countries are moving into the focus of international politics. It's not just the superpowers USA and China that are vying for influence in the region.

Neue Ausgabe „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

East-West conflict 2.0? Historian Andreas Rödder on the new world order

Historiker Prof. Andreas Rödder erklärt, warum die Weltordnung nach dem Kalten Krieg zerfällt und welche Rolle wertebasierte Realpolitik in der neuen geopolitischen Lage spielt.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Epochal change in the Middle East? On the fall of the Assad regime in Syria

For decades, the Assad regime determined Syria's fate - and in the end it collapsed within days. How great is the risk that things will not change for the better?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Faltering democracy? South Korea's crisis and its consequences

The South Korean president declares martial law and the military invades the parliament building. But what is behind the political turmoil in South Korea?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

The not so-United States: Prof. Stephan Bierling on the USA before the election

A few days before the US presidential election, we talk to US expert Stephan Bierling about the causes of the massive partisan polarization in the US.

Neue episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Two years of Meloni: between the radical fringe and the middle class?

When Giorgia Meloni won the parliamentary elections in Italy, there was talk of a “historic turning point”. Today, the view of the prime minister has become more differentiated.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Austria votes: Triumph of the right-wing populists?

Austria is electing a new parliament. Polls have been showing the right-wing populist FPÖ in the lead but the race seems to be more open than it was a few weeks ago.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

The US election and the future of the EU: MEP Daniel Caspary in conversation

Harris or Trump? The question of who will move into the White House is also driving European politics. We take a look at the US presidential election with MEP Caspary.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Interview with Jens Spahn: What will be the future of globalization?

Geopolitical tensions are increasing. The IMF speaks of “geo-economic fragmentation”. So is globalization as we know it coming to an end?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

The "forgotten" catastrophe: On the war in Sudan

With a view to the war in Sudan, observers say it is currently the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. But what are the underlying causes of the conflict?

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Society and politics in Ukraine: inside views from a troubled country

In this episode, we take a look at Ukraine - but less at the actual events on the front line and more at the mood in Ukrainian society and politics.

New episode of “Auslandsinfo. Spotlight”

Nuclear weapons expert Frank Sauer: Putin's nuclear threats and the concept of nuclear deterrence

What is Russian President Putin calculating with his nuclear weapons threats? How does "nuclear deterrence" work and why is it gaining importance again?

New episode of “Auslandsinfo. Spotlight”

Who defends Europe? Dr. Puglierin on European security policy and US priorities

Is the USA scaling back its commitment to Europe's security? In this episode, we talk to political scientist Dr. Puglierin about the US view of Europe.

New episode of “Auslandsinfo. Spotlight”

And now, Europe? Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy on the European elections and their consequences

Europe has voted. But what lessons can be learned from the election? What does the result mean for the future policy of the European Union?

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