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IMAGO / APAimages
Regime Change in Syria
Consequences for Jordan and Iraq
After the fall of Assad in Damascus, Jordan and Iraq are looking for a way to deal with the new regime. An optimistic pragmatism prevails in Amman, a skeptical one in Baghdad. The greatest potential lies in a joint regional approach.
Dr. Edmund Ratka, Layan Ounis
February 18, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Björn Trotzki
China at the Munich Security Conference
More than just a short-term PR success for Beijing?
China was able to score diplomatic points at the 61st Munich Security Conference, according to observers – especially in contrast to the behavior of the USA. "Wang Yi appeared to be the only adult in the room," noted Table.Media, and Bayerischer Rundfunk reported on "China's charm offensive." But how is the appearance of the Chinese top diplomat discussed in China's media, and what conclusions are being drawn from the openly revealed differences between the USA and Europe in China's capital?
Johann C. Fuhrmann
February 18, 2025
Country reports
Addisou Deresse
From Paralysis to Progress? Who will be the new face of the African Union?
A portrait of the candidates for the chairmanship of the AU Commission
The African heads of state will elect a new leadership on February 15th and 16th. Will the new chairman of the African Union Commission be able to tackle existing challenges that have been paralyzing the efficiency of the Union? Who are the candidates for the most powerful position within the AU and what do they stand for? Martino Faccenda and Lukas Kupfernagel have been taking a look behind the scenes to unpack the candidates and potential implications for the future EU-AU relations.
Lukas Kupfernagel, Martino Faccenda
February 11, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Everett Collection
Albania and religion – a globally unique case
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation commissioned a study on religious issues.
Albania is the only country in the world where religion has ever been banned by law. For nearly a quarter of a century, the communist dictator Enver Hoxha waged a war against religion. From 1967 until 1990, religious institutions were closed, the practice of religious rites was banned, and the mere expression of religious beliefs was considered a crime against the state. The latter was specifically included in an article of the penal code, which prescribed a prison sentence of three to ten years.
Dr. Thomas Kunze, Flora Roberg
February 11, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Herrmann Agenturfotografie
Rule of law in South-East Europe: Highlights in 2024
A review of developments in South-East Europe over the past year
In South-East Europe, some countries have made progress in the rule of law over the past year, while others have also experienced setbacks, which illustrates the many challenges in the region. The latest Rule of Law Index from the World Justice Project (WJP), among others, shows a mixed picture: Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Montenegro are characterised by improved scores, particularly in the fight against corruption. North Macedonia also recorded an increase in its overall score, which indicates positive developments in various areas. Croatia and Serbia, on the other hand, saw a decline in their rule of law scores, in particular due to the restriction of fundamental rights and the faltering fight against corruption. On their way into the European Union (EU), the candidate countries showed a commitment to harmonising with EU standards, but persistent problems in the judiciary, difficulties in the fight against corruption and political instability hindered development. The three South-East European EU member states faced similar challenges. Political polarisation, the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and interference in media and press freedom remain a challenge in all South-East European countries.
Dr. Pavel Usvatov, Dr. Mahir Muharemović, Alina Monceanu
February 10, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Agencia Prensa-Independiente
No Clear Winner in Ecuador's Elections
Political Polarization Persists Ahead of Runoff
After the election is before the election – this could describe the political situation in Ecuador after the tight first round of the presidential election. President Daniel Noboa and his left-populist challenger Luisa González will face off once again on April 13, 2025, in an open runoff. In particular, two fundamentally opposing political projects are up for decision, not least in foreign policy. Whereas a Noboa government would further align Ecuador with the west, a victory for Luisa González would mean a strengthened alliance with the region´s left-wing regimes as well as with Russia and China.
Johannes Hügel
February 10, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto
Georgian Knot: Local Repressions and International Isolation
For weeks, Georgia has been caught in a destructive cycle of protests and repression, isolating the country on the international stage.
Even after nearly 70 days of continuous protests, the de facto government of Georgia—controlled by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili—remains unyielding. However, instead of the brutal crackdowns seen at the start of the demonstrations, authorities are now resorting to targeted intimidation and repression against individuals. The cases of Msia Amaghlobeli and Giorgi Gacharia starkly illustrate how the rule of law in Georgia has collapsed in recent months. Internationally, the country is increasingly isolated. Recent diplomatic visits by the new government leadership to neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia highlight that Georgia’s path to Europe remains blocked under the rule of the Georgian Dream party.
Stephan Malerius, Florian Binder
February 5, 2025
Country reports
PantherMedia / daniel0
Mexico: Turbulent start to a landmark year
An overview of current political events
The year 2025 in Mexico began with a series of notable events: In addition to an early first assessment of the new government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who celebrated extensively after just 100 days in office, the highly optimistic economic development plan, Plan México, made headlines. Internationally, the (supposed?) breakthrough in the renewed EU-Mexico Global Agreement surprised observers, before the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington and the hourly announced executive orders regarding migration, trade, and security dominated the political agenda. A considerable noise level at the beginning of the year. It remains to be seen what consequences will arise from this in the coming months.
Hans-Hartwig Blomeier, Maximilian Strobel
January 30, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Panthermedia
Between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean: Morocco's maritime security strategy
Complex transnational challenges for the country's maritime security
The geopolitical developments in the Red Sea and Morocco's geostrategic position as an interface between Africa, Europe and the Americas pose complex transnational challenges for the country's maritime security. While Morocco benefits economically from the emerging importance of its ports, Morocco's sea areas are threatened by illegal migration, terrorist activities and international drug trafficking. Through a strategy of regional cooperation, Morocco seeks to use its Atlantic and Mediterranean identity to lower trade barriers while protecting itself from dangers. However, measures taken by the Moroccan navy make it clear that cooperation with both European and African states is indispensable for an effective security strategy.
Steven Höfner, Anna Weiße
January 30, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
“Election” in Belarus
Ruler Lukashenko Grants Himself Another Five Years
The result of the “presidential election” in Belarus on January 26th, with 86.82 percent for the 70-year-old Lukashenko, who has been in power for 30 years, and 8.83 percent for the four “alternative” candidates, is completely fictitious. Experts assume that Lukashenko might realistically achieve 40-50 percent of the vote due to the country's hopeless situation in Russia's stranglehold and the lack of alternatives. However, this cannot be verified. OSCE observers were not allowed to attend the “election,” and candidates from opposition parties or independent civilian election observers were not even given a chance to stand. The “election” should actually have taken place in July but was brought forward to January 26th during a visit by Lukashenko to Russia in October last year. The active phase of the election campaign thus fell in the coldest month of the year, with many public holidays, which reduced the likelihood of street protests. The slowdown in economic growth by mid-2025 would also have had a more significant impact on the population's prosperity. In the event of peace negotiations in Ukraine after Donald Trump’s inauguration, Lukashenko wanted to legitimize himself early on with a renewed mandate as the real incumbent to participate in these negotiations. Since the protests against the election fraud in 2020 were brutally suppressed, Belarus has been on the path to becoming a totalitarian state, with close ties to Russia and isolated from the West by extensive sanctions.
