Volker Perthes
Volker Perthes is Chairman and Director of Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Berlin.
Volker Perthes is Chairman and Director of Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Berlin.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in early 2014, its political and military relations with the West have deteriorated sharply. To head off the risk of an arms race or military confrontation, both si… read more
In the last two years, Germany has adopted leadership roles regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the civil war in Syria, and the refugee crisis. While this is a welcome development, German leaders must … read more
After 12 years of tedious negotiations, Iran and the P5+1 have reached a comprehensive agreement that will limit Iran’s development of its nuclear capabilities to non-military objectives. While this i… read more
Three distinct timelines are shaping developments in the Middle East: the short -term timeline of daily struggles and politics; the medium-term timeline of geopolitical shifts; and the long-term timel… read more
Emerging powers’ reactions to the Ukraine crisis show that what happens in Europe no longer defines world politics, even when a major conflict is brewing there. But, though many view this crisis as be… read more
The Geneva II conference on Syria, set to begin in Montreux on January 22, is unlikely to achieve its goal of forming a transitional governing authority with full executive powers. But what it can do … read more
The Russian-US plan to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons may open a more constructive approach to ending the country's civil war, because the Security Council is also demanding that peace talks take … read more
Since the first Arab Spring uprisings erupted in late 2010, power relations among Middle Eastern countries have been in a state of flux, and both winners and losers have emerged. But, given that most … read more
Syrian opposition activists regularly express disappointment with the level of international support that they receive. But Syrian oppositionists must recognize that the international community is wai… read more
