Topics

Research Areas
Horizontal Topics Working Group
Dossiers
In Focus

Research Areas

Find publications on a research area of your interest.

Research Areas

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Horizontal topics working groups

International cooperation in the context of systemic rivalry

Investigating the current situation and future possibilities for international cooperation in the context of systemic rivalry.
Reordering European security

Exploring the options for transforming and enhancing the European security order, and how the transition can best be accomplished.
The challenge of autocratisation

Investigating the global trend of autocratisation and the challenges this presents for Germany and Europe.
Economic and technological transformations

Examining the sweeping changes associated with disruptive economic and technological transformations, and the problems and opportunities this creates for Germany and Europe.

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Dossiers

United Nations and Sustainable Development

Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The United Nations committed itself to this guiding principle in the early 1990s. How has global sustainability policy developed since then?

Dossier, last update: September 2025
Russia's war against Ukraine and its consequences

Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine - with repercussions on a global scale. A new dossier bundles publications and media contributions on the war and its consequences.

Dossier, last update: September 2025
Forced Displacement and Migration

The dossier introduces the topics of International Migration Trends; Forced Displacement, Migration and Development; International Cooperation; European Migration and Refugee Policy; and National Migration and Refugee Policy, and pools publications by SWP authors.

Dossier, last update: August 2025
Climate Policy and Politics

It is considered one of the greatest threats of the 21st century: climate change. How can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions? And how can we deal with the consequences? This dossier provides an overview of the many challenges facing climate policy at European and international level.

Dossier, last update: July 2025
Energy Policy

Due to the interdependencies in the energy markets, the international dimension of energy policy is becoming increasingly important. Instead of mere security of supply, the focus is shifting to the question of an ecologically, economically and socially compatible energy supply.

Dossier, last update: July 2025
The United States and Transatlantic Relations

Following his re-election in 2024, US President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement initiate a change of course in domestic and foreign policy, weakening US institutions while calling international order and partnerships into question. This dossier provides an overview of the new circumstances in foreign and security policy, domestic policy and society, and economy and trade.

Dossier, last update: July 2025
Cybersecurity and Digital Policy: The Role of the Digital in International Politics

Digital Foreign Policy, Cyber-Security, International Law & Human Rights, Regional Perspectives. The dossier seeks to offer orientation in this complex field and offers compilations of relevant publications by SWP authors in the respective fields.

Dossier, last update: February 2025
European elections 2024 and the EU's next strategic agenda

From 6 to 9 June 2024, the citizens of the European Union will elect a new parliament. This dossier looks at how this will affect EU institutions, their political priorities and the European party landscape.

Dossier, last update: June 2024

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In Focus

War in the Middle East

On 7 October 2023, Hamas and other groups launched an attack on Israel, killing civilians and abducting around 250 people to the Gaza Strip. This marked a new phase in the Middle East conflict. Israel subsequently weakened the 'Axis of Resistance' militarily. In the Gaza Strip, tens of thousands were killed and the livelihoods were destroyed. Since the Israeli attacks of 13 June 2025, Iran and Israel have been at war, and the USA participated in for the first time in military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. As a result, the military balance of power in the region has shifted significantly. There is a risk of an expansion of the war with far-reaching consequences. What are the interests and options of the various parties involved, and what approaches are there for achieving sustainable conflict management?

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