Publications

Digital First - The U.S. Election Campaign 2024

The 2024 US election was a neck-and-neck race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. We asked communications consultant Anja Gabriel to analyze the role of digital media in this election campaign and to point out parallels and differences to elections in Germany. (Study in German)

Formally still independent, but hardly sovereign

Belarus in Russia's wake

Russia is now driving the process towards a union state with Belarus, which has long been simmering on a low flame, at all levels and at high speed. Most recently, the pompous forum ‘Great Heritage - Common Future’ took place at the end of April in Volgograd, Russia, on the margins of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army in Stalingrad. What independent observers describe as Moscow's ‘victory hysteria’ surrounding the military parade on 9 May, is equally evident in official Belarusian rhetoric. The Russian narrative about the interpretation of the history of World War II is also actively employed in Belarus to justify aggression against Ukraine and to shape its stance toward Europe. Lukashenko has maintained his grip on power by making extensive concessions to the Kremlin, effectively trading Belarusian sovereignty for political survival. In terms of security policy, the ‘Agreement on Security Guarantees in the Union State’, ratified in Moscow at the beginning of the year, represents a further stage of escalation. Among other things, it enables military bases for Russian nuclear missiles, which can reach Vilnius in two minutes. Russia needs the regime in the neighboring country as a critical military ally, relying on its territory for missile deployment and as a strategic staging ground for troops near the borders of Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. The upcoming Zapad 2025 military exercises, scheduled for September, evoke troubling memories of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which followed similar “training maneuvers.”

Gulf-Asia Cooperation

Prospects, Challenges, and Implications for Europe

This publication explores the deepening ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and key Asian powers—China, India, Japan, and South Korea—and their implications for Europe. While energy remains central, cooperation is expanding into technology, infrastructure, and diplomacy. As Asia becomes the Gulf’s primary partner, Europe risks being sidelined unless it engages more strategically. This publication calls for greater EU-GCC-Asia trilateral cooperation to address shared challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

100 Days Cabinet Zheljaskov

A positive interim assessment

On 16 January 2025, the Bulgarian Parliament (National Assembly) elected a coalition government consisting of the alliance “Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria - Union of Democratic Forces” (GERB-SDS, both EPP), the “Bulgarian Socialist Party - United Left” (BSP-OL), the “There is such a people” party (ITN) and the “Alliance for Rights and Freedoms” (APS). The cabinet has now been in office for 100 days and it can be concluded that it has succeeded in restoring political stability in the country and setting the course for the future. Bulgaria also remains a reliable and important partner for Germany.

New Faces and New Focus

Chancellor Friedrich Merz Leads New Government in Germany

Germany has a new government with Friedrich Merz from the CDU elected as Chancellor by the Bundestag. His cabinet consists of 17 ministers from the coalition parties CDU, CSU, and SPD. They aim to address the backlog of reforms in Germany and set new priorities in foreign policy.

Policy Paper - “México y Estados Unidos: Perspectivas para la Integración Regional”

Este documento de política es un análisis riguroso y actualizado sobre la relación económica bilateral en el contexto del nearshoring y la reconfiguración de las cadenas globales en México y Estados Unidos. La publicación examina comercio, inversión, T-MEC y retos geopolíticos, y propone recomendaciones estratégicas para fortalecer la competitividad de México en América del Norte, en línea con los principios de gobernanza, sostenibilidad y cooperación que impulsa la KAS.

Papst Leo XIV

A "Latino at heart"

Pope Leo XIV is not only the first American to occupy St. Peter's throne, but also the first Peruvian. The election of Robert Prevost, who was granted Peruvian citizenship in 2015, plunged an entire country into jubilation. The new pope has deep roots in Latin America, where he served as a priest and bishop for over two decades. Like his predecessor Francis, Leo XIV is likely to focus international attention on social issues and Latin America. At the same time, his demeanor is characterized by reconciliation and compromise, rather than political infighting.

Event Report: The Battle for African Minds - From Information War’s and to political turmoil

Event Report: The Battle for African Minds - From Information War’s and to political turmoil

Under the North, East, West and South (NEWS) initiative, the Regional Programme for Political Dialogue in Sub-Saharan Africa (PolDiSSA) of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has brought together members of civil society movement, think tanks, political leaders and journalists from the four extreme parts of the continent. This 4th and final edition of NEWS, like the precedents, brought together leaders of opinion from all Tunisia, South Africa, Senegal and Somaliland to discuss and find solutions to common challenges.

Промова Федерального президента Німеччини Ріхарда фон Вайцзекера в Бундестазі 8 травня 1985 року

До 40-річчя завершення Другої світової війни в Європі

Сьогодні виповнюється вісімдесят років з дня закінчення Другої світової війни в Європі. У Німеччині, звідки ця війна розпочалася, сприйняття та оцінка її завершення постійно змінювалися протягом цих 80 років. Важливою віхою в цьому розвитку стала - рівно на півдорозі цих 80 років - промова тодішнього Федерального президента Ріхарда фон Вайцзеккера з нагоди сорокової річниці закінчення війни 8 травня 1985 р. Відтоді минуло ще понад чотири роки до мирної революції в НДР, яка була б неможливою без змін в інших країнах Східної Європи. Поразка чи визволення — два ключові поняття в німецькій культурі пам’яті про завершення війни — й досі відіграють важливу роль і в інших країнах, а також залишаються об'єктом зловживань і маніпуляцій, зокрема з боку росії. Саме тому ми вперше публікуємо оригінальний текст важливої промови тодішнього Федерального президента в українському перекладі.

Canada has voted

A new course is being set

In the midst of a serious crisis with the USA, Canada is once again governed by a Liberal minority government following early elections. Despite good results, the Conservatives miss out on what they thought was a certain election victory. Canada appears to be on the way to a two-party system.