Center for Security and Defense

DGAP’s program in security and defense takes a comprehensive approach to security research. Its themes range from German and European defense and security policy and the development of the arms industry to civilian crisis management and the fight against terrorism. 

In order to gain a deeper understanding of German foreign policy and, from it, to derive targeted recommendations for action, the program examines security policy from different perspectives – in terms of both content and methodology. Through its work, it offers interdisciplinary expertise on the constantly changing facets of policy in national and international security and defense.

Key topics:

Security

• The security and defense policies of Germany, France, other European countries, and the US
• The EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP)
• Civilian crisis management and peacekeeping missions
• Prevention of (violent) Islamic extremism and radicalization
• International cooperation in the fight against terrorism and its prevention

Defense

• NATO
• European cooperation on defense
• EU-NATO cooperation
• Franco-German cooperation on defense
• Technological risk assessment

Armaments

• German and European arms policy and industry
• Arms exports
• Armed forces and military capabilities
• Deterrence, arms control, and non-proliferation
• Technological innovation

Peace

• Conflict prevention
• Peace operations, in particular of the United Nations and European Union
• Mediation, dialogue, and diplomacy
• Stabilization and peacebuilding