The contemporary geopolitical situation, including Russia’s war against Ukraine, demands professional expertise – for this purpose in Germany the Center for Security and Defense of the German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) has been reinstated.
The Center’s mandate was outlined in a comment to Ukrinform by its director, Patrick Keller.
He noted that DGAP has for more than 70 years provided scientifically grounded political advice, primarily for the country’s leadership.
«But for various reasons, over several years there was a gap when we did not cover this important topic. And it was exactly when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. This was a significant shortcoming for society as a whole, as it lacked an important voice. Therefore now is the time for us to restore it»
The Center’s Role and the Need in the Current Situation
Keller stressed that such a center is needed now, when Europe is under great pressure: “We have very little time to become as strong as we must be – to defend ourselves against Russia, deter Russia, and stand firm in the new global situation, where not only Russia, but many other factors should give us cause for concern.”
«We have very little time to become as strong as we must be – to defend ourselves against Russia, deter Russia, and stand firm in the new global environment, where not only Russia but many other factors should give us cause for concern»
Global Context of Defense Challenges
The expert noted that transatlantic commitments are no longer the same as thirty years ago. In China, in international politics – the role of a systemic competitor that pressures Europe, the West and its values and interests. Therefore Germans and Europeans in general must become stronger, more autonomous – and the new Center can make a tangible contribution by offering concrete, rapidly actionable paths to realize this task.
According to Keller, the challenges are understood not only by experts but also by a significant portion of German society: «the winds in international politics have grown sharper, and we need to prepare differently».
«the winds in international politics have grown sharper, and we need to prepare differently»
Also Keller noted that in Germany there is “a deep understanding that Ukraine is fighting a battle that is not only Ukraine’s but Europe’s as well.”
«a deep understanding that Ukraine is fighting a battle that is not only Ukraine’s but Europe’s as well»
At the same time, the expert acknowledged that among different circles of society there are voices who believe: this is not our war; let Putin deal with it himself. Instead, we must clearly demonstrate the fallacy of such statements and explain why helping Ukraine matters.
«Putin’s Russia is aimed not at any particular country, but at the liberal order of the Western model and, accordingly, at the European idea. Therefore it is important that we support Ukraine and regard its struggle as our shared»
The expert also acknowledged that the West’s response to Russia’s attempts at destabilization has so far not been strong enough; it is necessary to work much faster and more seriously on defense readiness – this concerns not only the equipment of the Bundeswehr but also how society prepares for threats, both existing and potential.
Western Steps and the Future of Development
In the context of the opening of the Center for Security and Defense on November 17, DGAP gathered political and expert figures; among the participants online was Germany’s Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius. Among the guests were Member of the European Parliament Marie-Agnès Strack-Zimmermann, the president of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Ralf Tiesler, and the Center’s senior research fellow Andras Racz.
As part of the interagency plan of action to defend against hybrid threats, measures for counterintelligence and protection of critical infrastructure were considered, signaling Europe’s aim to strengthen defense and bolster joint security in the new realities of global politics.
This development underscores Europe’s readiness to act quickly and in a coordinated manner to ensure stability and security advantages for the future.
