Dr. Thomas Kunze

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.

Italian refugee reception centre in Albania

Planned opening of the first extraterritorial refugee camp in an EU country

The increasing migratory pressure on Europe is shaping the current discourse. Italy, which is experiencing a significant change in its migration policy under the leadership of the movement led by Giorgia Meloni, is particularly prominent. At the same time, Albania is positioning itself as a reliable partner on the path to EU membership. In light of these developments, innovative solutions are being sought. One notable example is the planned opening of the first extraterritorial refugee camp in an EU country: an Italian camp on Albanian soil, which is triggering both ethical and political discussions.

Russia in the Middle East

Strategies and Interests

Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and the resurgence of a hot Middle East conflict in October 2023 is attracting the attention not only of regional actors but also of the global community. Russia's reaction in particular is being watched with great interest. Russia, as the legal successor state of the Soviet Union, has a deep-rooted history of engagement in the Middle East. In addition to current Russian reactions to the Middle East conflict, this report is dedicated to the historical role of the Soviet Union and Russia in the region and highlights Russian interests in the Middle East.

Russia's Demographic Policy in the Context of the War

Long-term challenges for the Russian Federation

This country report explores the demographic policies of Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine. It traces Russia's demographic changes over the past century, from the Tsarist era to the present Russian Federation, and discusses the various measures the government has taken to address the demographic challenges, especially the declining birth rate. The conflict with Ukraine has introduced additional challenges, including the loss of life and mass migrations. While government initiatives have shown some positive results, the demographic situation remains complex and precarious, with regional disparities, urbanization, and external factors influencing the population dynamics.

Clear path for Mirsiyoyev

The course set by the early presidential elections in Uzbekistan on July 9, 2023

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirsiyoyev has won the presidential elections in his country with a result of 87 per cent. These were early elections, which at the same time "annulled" the previous presidential terms. Mirsiyoyev could now theoretically run for another term as head of state in 2030. He has been in power in the Central Asian country since the death of the authoritarian long-term President Islam Karimov in 2017 and has opened Uzbekistan up to reforms.

The Melting Shield

The Russian Arctic as a Geopolitical Hotspot

The High North has traditionally been of great importance to Russia – not only as a storehouse of raw materials but also in terms of security policy. While the melting of the ice is opening up new economic opportunities for Moscow, it is also depriving the country of natural protection against military attacks. As a result, the remilitarisation of the Russian Arctic is in full swing.

Russia: Nuclear Dangers and Risks of Escalation

The global security situation is extremely tense. Disputes are hardening and the global conflict between liberal democracies and authoritarian systems is intensifying. The war in Ukraine is not just a war between two former Soviet republics, but a systemic conflict. The assessment of the risks of escalation is a matter of debate. UN Secretary-General António Guterres tells the UN General Assembly in New York: "I fear the world is not sleepwalking into a major war - I fear it is doing so with its eyes wide open". In a speech to both chambers of the Russian parliament on 21 February 2023, Vladimir Putin did fall short of the expectations of Russian hardliners calling for an even more brutal war in Ukraine, not shying away from calls for the use of tactical nuclear weapons. However, Putin announced the unilateral freezing of the "New Start" nuclear disarmament treaty.

Escape from Russia

The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine is also a turning point in Russia, as more and more people are leaving the country.

The 24th of February 2022 also marks a turning point in Russian society. Over one million people may have already left the country. The exodus movements have different characteristics and can be divided into different groups. The waves of emigration from Russia pose fundamental questions for European states about how to deal with Russian conscientious objectors. In other parts of the world, such as Central Asia, the waves of emigrants are initially raising economic hopes. Contrary to fears, Russia has not (yet) closed its borders. As a rule, citizens are still able to leave the country. In the current situation, the Russian government seems to see an advantage in critical voices and protest potential leaving Russia. The tone for dealing with exiles is set by former President Dmitry Medvedev, Putin's deputy on the National Security Council: "Traitors who hate their country so much that they call for its defeat must be considered enemies of the state. (...) Such people should not be allowed to return to Russia for the rest of their lives. (...) Their return home can only take place in the case of clear public repentance and through amnesty or pardon. Although it would be better for them not to return."

Russland: Mobilmachung, Scheinreferenden und atomare Bedrohung

Am 24. Februar 2022 ist Russlands Armee in die Ukraine einmarschiert. Den Ukrainern gelingt es bisher, Widerstand zu leisten. Mit nie dagewesenen Sanktionsmaßnahmen des Westens soll der Russischen Föderation die Möglichkeit zur effektiven Kriegsführung genommen werden. Die russische Armee musste Rückschläge erleiden, und der Druck nationalistischer Hardliner in Moskau, die ein noch härteres Vorgehen in der Ukraine und darüber hinaus verlangen, wuchs. Eine Teilmobilmachung ruft jetzt 300.000 Reservisten zu den Waffen. Russische Militärkommentatoren gehen davon aus, dass in weiteren Etappen über zwei Million Menschen mobilisiert werden könnten. Zudem finden von 23. bis 27. September 2022 Scheinreferenden in den besetzten ukrainischen Gebieten statt. Die Bezirke Donezk, Lugansk sowie große Teile der Gebiete von Cherson und Saporoschje sollen noch im September an die Russische Föderation angegliedert werden. Immer wieder verweist Russland auf sein atomares Potential. Der russisch-ukrainische Krieg hat eine Phase erreicht, die ähnliche Gefahren in sich birgt wie die Kuba-Krise vor 60 Jahren. Das Eskalationspotential ist enorm.

Russlands Arktis

Im Zuge des Klimawandels verändern sich auch die geopolitischen Gegebenheiten im russischen Teil der Arktis. Neben einer zunehmend erleichterten Rohstoffgewinnung eröffnet vor allem die längere Schiffbarkeit des Nördlichen Seeweges der Russischen Föderation neue Perspektiven im globalen Wettbewerb. Die russischen Hoheitsgewässer durchquerend, bietet der Nördliche Seeweg die Möglichkeit der Etablierung eines alternativen transkontinentalen Transportweges für Energielieferungen und Warenströme zwischen Ost und West. Doch dafür sind Investitionen und Technologien nötig, die Moskau nur begrenzt besitzt. Dies ruft Mächte auf den Plan, die ebenfalls an einem maritimen Verbindungsweg von Asien nach Europa interessiert sind. Die Klimaerwärmung birgt für Russland zudem eine gänzlich neue militärstrategische Herausforderung – jahrhundertlang bildete das ewige Eis der Arktis eine unüberwindbare Barriere an den nördlichen Grenzen. Mit dem Schwinden dieses natürlichen Schutzwalles ist Moskau gezwungen, seine Landesverteidigung im Norden neu auszurichten. Erste wegweisende Schritte in diese Richtung sind bereits erfolgt.