Publications on the topic of “Freedom needs Security” - Security – Innovation – Democracy
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Publications on the topic of “Freedom needs Security”
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IMAGO / Brazil Photo Press
South Africa and BRICS+
Foreign policy strategies and economic interests in the BRICS+ area of conflict
South Africa, the most industrialized country on the African continent with a population of around 63 million, has been a member of what was then known as the BRICS grouping of five countries since 2010.
Gregor Jaecke, Dr. Christoph Wiedenroth
July 8, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Brazil Photo Press
Ethiopia's BRICS membership
Between exaggerated expectations and geopolitical rivalry
On 1 January 2024, Ethiopia officially joined the BRICS group — a highly symbolic step that marks the country’s turn away from the traditional West and towards a supposedly more multipolar world order (Council on Foreign Relations, 2024). Addis Ababa presented the accession as a historic success for its foreign policy. It was seen as a sign of a return to geopolitical relevance, opening the door to new economic and diplomatic opportunities. However, this rhetoric conceals an increasingly visible discrepancy between Ethiopia's expectations of BRICS and the group of states' structural and political realities. However, the absence of economic returns to date, coupled with the emergence of new geopolitical tensions among members, calls into question the benefits of accession.
Lukas Kupfernagel
July 7, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Le Pictorium
From a “Dormant to a Leading Middle Power"
Foreign and Security Policy of Germany’s New Government
Germany finds itself alongside its European allies and partners in a complex security environment. Russian aggression in Ukraine continues to threaten broader European security, while the concerning escalation in the Middle East, transatlantic trade tensions, and global power competition are further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Dr. Hardy Ostry, Maša Ocvirk
July 4, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Xinhua
China ahead of the BRICS summit in Rio
"Rien ne va plus" or "now more than ever"?
For the first time since assuming office in 2013, Chinese President and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping will not attend a BRICS summit in person. Instead, Premier Li Qiang will represent the People’s Republic of China at the gathering in Rio de Janeiro. From Beijing’s perspective, the ongoing conflicts — and the direct involvement of fellow BRICS members such as Russia and Iran — have significantly dampened expectations for the summit’s success. Against this backdrop, signs are mounting that China’s enthusiasm for the BRICS format is waning, giving way to growing disillusionment and lowered ambitions.
David Merkle, Chengzhan Zhuang
July 4, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Indonesia's first BRICS summit after accession
Why Indonesia joins BRICS and still remains independent
In January 2025, Indonesia surprisingly joined the BRICS community of states. This raised concerns among Western observers that Indonesia could abandon its traditional foreign policy position of ‘non-alignment’ and move closer to China and Russia. However, the accession is actually part of the Indonesian government's strategy to integrate its own country into the most important multilateral formats. It is therefore not a contradiction for Indonesia to push for its own accession to the OECD at the same time. The Western international community should support Indonesia's integration efforts and make concrete offers of cooperation to the Indonesian government. Indonesia's BRICS accession could then even have a positive effect for the West and strengthen the balance within the BRICS - and thus weaken China's dominant influence in the group.
Dr. Denis Suarsana
July 3, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / SNA
Brazil as a Bridge Between BRICS+ and Europe?
Brazil’s BRICS+ Presidency Ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Summit
Brazil is using its BRICS+ presidency in 2025 to promote a more inclusive and sustainable world order as a pragmatic mediator in the so-called ‘Global South’ and to preserve its independence in foreign policy. For Europe, this presents both challenges due to the growing heterogeneity and independence of the BRICS+ group, as well as opportunities for a strategic partnership, for example through the EU-Mercosur agreement and joint projects in the areas of climate, health and technology. It is crucial that Europe recognises Brazil as an equal partner in order to jointly set global standards and actively shape the multipolar world order.
Maximilian Hedrich
July 3, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
The UAE – (not) just another BRICS member?
Admission to BRICS strengthens the Emirates’ economic and foreign policy ambitions
Although the UAE seem like an unusual member of BRICS, the Emirates have embraced their admission to join the group in 2024. Being a BRICS-member furthers Abu Dhabi’s agenda to become an economic hub and is part and parcel of its diversified foreign relations. For Europe this should be a wake-up call.
Philipp Dienstbier
July 2, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Egyptian perspectives on the BRICS conference in Brazil
Egypt sees itself as an active partner in the BRICS alliance, but the topic is only discussed to a limited extent in the public debate
Since joining BRICS in January 2024, Egypt has positioned itself as an active partner focused on financial reform and cooperation with the Global South. President Al-Sisi criticized traditional institutions like the UN and emphasized BRICS' role in addressing global crises. Egypt advocates for fairer debt systems and stronger economic sovereignty within the alliance.
Steffen Krüger
July 2, 2025
Country reports
Adobe Stock / Generiert mit KI / SpeedShutter
Should delinquent children be criminally responsible at an early age?
The discussion on lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 years from the perspective of child and adolescent psychiatry
Currently, criminal responsibility in Germany begins at the age of 14. For juvenile offenders between the ages of 14 and under 18, the more lenient youth criminal law, which is oriented towards educational ideas and therapeutic needs, applies. Nevertheless, the question arises whether a 12-year-old child who has committed violent crimes should be placed in a prison together with older adolescents and young adults up to 27 years old, who for various reasons often still fall under the youth criminal law.
Elisabeth Hoffmann
June 26, 2025
Single title
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency
How do the Middle East and North Africa view the Israeli-Iranian war?
Perspectives from the region
On 13 June 2025, Israel began a large-scale military operation in Iran – with the declared aim to destroy Iran's nuclear programme. Since then, Iran has retaliated with attacks on civilian targets in Israel. On the night of 22 June, the USA entered the confrontation and conducted attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Dr. Michael Rimmel, Philipp Dienstbier, Dr. Edmund Ratka, Dr. Thomas Volk, Michael Bauer, Dr. Ellinor Zeino, Winfried Weck, Steven Höfner
