Country Reports

Two years of civil war in Sudan

The latest developments in the crisis region

At the end of March, Sudanese media reported that the presidential palace in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, had been retaken by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The palace, which also serves as the seat of government, had been occupied by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, along with other parts of the capital. The recapture marks a major milestone for the Sudanese army in the ongoing conflict. Several ministry buildings and much of the capital are also back under SAF military control. However, an end to the war is not yet in sight, as RSF rebels still control several strategic areas of the country and fighting continues in other regions. Fighting continues particularly in Western Darfur. An end to the war is a long way off, as various local and international political initiatives remain unsuccessful. In the meantime, the people of Sudan are suffering one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.

Lessons from China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Strategic Pathways for the EU’s Global Gateway

Jacob Mardell

Over a decade since its launch, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) remains widely misunderstood. This report cuts through the noise: the BRI is less a grand strategy, more a decentralised, narrative-driven vehicle for advancing Chinese interests. The report asks what the EU can learn—and what it should avoid—as it shapes its own Global Gateway.

Finland’s Response to Hybrid Threats in the Baltic Sea

Resilience through Comprehensive Security?

Finland’s decision to join the NATO alliance after decades of military neutrality in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has significantly acerbated relations with its Eastern Neighbour. The latest National Risk Assessment by the Finnish government emphasizes the dangers of hybrid threats, which could challenge Finland’s security environment. Its land border of more than 1,300 kilometres with Russia renders Finland particularly susceptible to Russian hybrid operations. Hybrid threats can take manifold shape, such as cyberattacks, disinformation, instrumentalized migration, or sabotage acts against critical infrastructure, including subsea electricity or data cables.

Die Bedeutung des WHO-Pandemieabkommens für wirtschaftliche Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz in Deutschland

Internationale Gesundheitspolitik ist längst zu einer Frage strategischer Weitsicht geworden. Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat verdeutlicht, wie fragil selbst hochentwickelte Gesundheits- und Wirtschaftssysteme sind – und wie sehr sie auf verlässliche internationale Kooperation angewiesen bleiben. Ein WHO-Pandemieabkommen bietet die Chance, zukünftige Krisen koordinierter zu bewältigen, globale Lieferketten zu stabilisieren und Investitionsanreize für Forschung und Innovation zu setzen. Deutschland steht an einem entscheidenden Punkt: Ein Abkommen kann die eigene Sicherheit stärken, wirtschaftliche Risiken minimieren und multilaterale Strukturen festigen. Der Moment, sich entschlossen für eine tragfähige Lösung einzusetzen, ist jetzt.

Consensus amid Chaos

Korean Parliament passes pension reform

On 20 March 2025 the Korean National Assembly passed a pension reform. This historic decision, which was passed by both major parties despite fierce political debate, ushers in a new chapter for the pension system after 18 years. Despite ongoing challenges, the course for solutions in the face of serious demographic developments is set. Above all, it provides a striking contrast to the enormous polarization that otherwise characterizes Korean politics and has led to the current crisis.

Forest and vegetation fires in Greece 2024

Challenges, Impact & International aid

The year 2024 in Greece was marked by numerous and devastating forest fires. This season once again represented a considerable burden for the Greek civil protection and civil protection as well as the fire brigades. The damage to the environment was high, although it should be noted that significantly less area was burned than in the previous year. The government's measures for early detection  fires, the equipment of fire brigades, the reduction of fire loads and the harsh penalties for arsonists seem to be having an effect.  This report analyses the main causes and effects of the fires in Greece, compares the figures with 2023, identifies the structures of civil protection and presents international aid and its possibilities for improvement. 

Elections in Greenland

A Clear Signal Towards Independence

Greenlanders have elected a new parliament. The clear winner of the election is the liberal Demokraatit party (Democrats) with its leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen. They won by a surprisingly clear margin against the current left-wing coalition government of Siumut ( Forwards) and Inuit Ataqatigiit (Community of the Inuit). Nielsen's party pursues a conservative tax policy, is considered economically liberal and wants to achieve independence from Denmark in a step-by-step fashion. The second strongest party is the nationalist protest party Naleraq (Point of orientation). It was the only party to call for a swift exit from the Danish kingdom and rapprochement with the USA during the election campaign. The upcoming coalition negotiations could prove difficult in view of foreign policy upheavals. Nielson, former Minister for Industry and Minerals, announced his intention to talk to all parties. A broad-based alliance between Inuit Ataqatigiit, the party of previous Prime Minister Múte B. Egede and possibly with the Siumut party could form a stable government.

Broken alliance in Estonia

The collapse of the coalition government

On 10 March 2025, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced the reshuffle of the Estonian coalition by dismissing the Social Democratic Party (SDE) from the coalition government. After this decision, the "Reform Party" and "Estonia200" have only a narrow majority with 52 out of 101 seats in the Riigikogu (parliament).

Showdown in the Oval Office

US Opinions on the Future of Trump's Ukraine Policy

Relations between the USA and Ukraine hit a low point last week: In front of live television cameras, there was a confrontation in the Oval Office of the White House between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky. The result was a breakdown in talks and a pause in American aid to Ukraine.

Country Report

Can Great Britain Save the West?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pursuing a dual strategy: he aims to take a leadership role in Europe's security and defence repositioning while also convincing the Trump administration to remain militarily engaged in Europe. The United Kingdom is to act as a bridge between an increasingly unpredictable White House and a Europe unsettled by Trump's rapprochement with Russia. This was the context of his visit to Washington at the end of February, as well as the summit he convened in London with leading heads of state and government under the title "Securing our Future."