All publications

China, Latin America, and the United States: Geopolitical Impacts and New Challenges

Latin America is a foreign policy priority for the new U.S. administration, partly due to China's growing influence in the region. We asked Dr. Karin Johnston to assess China's role in Latin America, its implications for the U.S., and the broader geopolitical consequences.

Will QUAD change the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific?

Diplomatic dialogue and practical cooperation on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India is a flexible cooperative forum that responds to growing geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific. With initiatives in areas such as maritime security, technology and climate change, QUAD aims to promote a rules-based order and counter China's influence. Through close cooperation between the four democracies, QUAD could have a lasting impact on the region's security architecture.

The Team for “America First”

Trump Relies on Experienced Foreign Policy Experts and Loyal Ideologues

Donald Trump's second term as U.S. President is highly anticipated around the world. His announcements are expected to have a global impact: mass expulsions, territorial claims, intensified confrontation with China, and a possible withdrawal from multilateral organizations. But who are the experienced foreign policy experts and loyal ideologues the 47th US President will rely on to help implement his plans? We take a look at his closest advisors on foreign, security, and economic policy.

Rights, Representation and Reform: The Political Struggles of Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia

Country Report with a Difference: Malaysia

The report highlights the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Malaysia’s political sphere. Despite making up 15% of the population, persons with disabilities encounter barriers such as inaccessible polling stations, a lack of braille ballots and sign language interpreters, and insufficient representation. Since 2007, only four senators with disabilities have been appointed to the 70-seat Dewan Negara. This representation (or lack thereof) remains inadequate for such a significant demographic. Although Malaysia has ratified the CRPD and enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, enforcement remains weak. The ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 provides a framework for inclusion, but more progress is needed. As Malaysia chairs ASEAN in 2025, it must lead efforts to ensure full political inclusion for persons with disabilities. As a young and developing democracy, Malaysia has the potential to lead the region in inclusivity, demonstrating that every voice—regardless of ability—counts in building a just and equitable society.

In|vo|lun|ta|ri|ly ce|li|ba|te (Incel)

A misogynistic threat to internal security – on the potential danger of the misogynist incel scene

The term incel stands for involuntarily celibate and describes men who define themselves by their inability to establish sexual and romantic relationships with women. The incel scene is characterised by a strong misogynistic and anti-feminist ideology. Members of the community believe in a world view characterised by the doctrine of ‘Pills’. On this ideological basis, they spread misogynistic content in dedicated forums, but also on social media, and deliberately distort the general discourse by spreading anti-feminist content.

A new president for Lebanon in crisis

After more than two years of deadlock, the office of president has been filled again. The first step on a long road to state renewal?

Lebanon has a new president. With 99 out of 128 votes, Joseph Aoun, the former military commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army (LAF), was elected as the country's 14th president by the Lebanese parliament on 9 January. This was preceded by intensive international mediation efforts, diplomatic pressure and internal Lebanese debates on how and with whom the two-year-long vacancy in the presidential palace could be ended.

Call for Paper: Women in ASEAN Economies

Women in ASEAN: The Impact of Women’s Inclusion in Policymaking and the Cost of Women’s Exclusion in Economies

What are the impacts of inclusive policymaking and what are the costs of exclusion?

Iris Wolff ist Literaturpreisträgerin der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung 2025

„Lichtblicke in die Zeitgeschichte“

„Iris Wolffs Romane sind Lichtblicke in die Zeitgeschichte und ein wegweisender Beitrag zur europäischen Erinnerungskultur“, sagte Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert in Berlin.

Policy Atlas ‘Renting, Buying, Living’

An overview of key housing policy measures

The basic provision of housing for people and wealth creation in the form of home ownership are central pillars of prosperity and social justice. The issue of providing adequate and affordable housing is acute. It affects almost everyone and is characterized by a high degree of complexity and multidimensionality. (Socially acceptable) housing must be created quickly and efficiently, because housing policy is social policy, labor market policy, economic policy, energy and climate policy, innovation policy, urban development policy and much more.

International talent for the German middle class

Measures to improve skilled immigration

German small and medium-sized companies face challenges in attracting skilled labor from Non-EU-countries. Despite reforms in immigration law, skilled labor immigration to Germany remains low. What measures and policies are needed to strengthen international talent acquisition in German SMEs?