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Publications by Thorsten Benner
All Issue Areas
Global Order
Humanitarian Action
Migration
M&E
Peace & Security
Rights & Democracy
Data & Tech Politics
Years
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Commentary 02 Jun 2022
The German Chancellor May Be Turning a Corner
When it comes to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Scholz got the big calls right. The vitriol he has been facing from critics is not so much the result of policies, but of dismal communication failures. … -
Commentary 02 May 2022
Schaut mehr auf Indien!
Erstaunlich, dass es hierzulande so wenig politisches Interesse an Indien gibt. Dabei ist das Land wirtschaftlich attraktiv, geopolitisch verlässlich – und eine mögliche Alternative zu China.… -
Commentary 18 Mar 2022
Kleptocracy Isn’t Just a Russian Problem
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the West levied hard sanctions. But Moscow's oligarchs are just the tip of the iceberg. It's high time to crack down on those who enable corrupt elites.… -
Commentary 16 Mar 2022
Peace Through Deterrence: Why Germany and Europe Need to Invest More to Preserve the Status Quo in the Taiwan Strait
A conflict between China and the US over Taiwan would endanger global and specifically German stability and prosperity. If Berlin wants to keep peace in the Taiwan Strait, it will need to actively contribute to a non-military deterrence of Beijing.… -
Commentary 14 Mar 2022
Russische Oligarchen sollten nur der Anfang sein
Der Westen reagiert auf den russischen Angriffskrieg mit harten Sanktionen. Doch es geht längst nicht nur um die Kreml-Moguln. Wir müssen gegen die westlichen Handlanger korrupter Eliten aus aller Welt vorgehen.… -
Commentary 28 Feb 2022
Schlüsselfrage Taiwan
Eine militärische Auseinandersetzung hätte gravierende Folgen, auch für Europa. Berlin muss sich stärker bei der nichtmilitärischen Abschreckung Pekings engagieren.… -
Commentary 06 Feb 2022
Wie Olaf Scholz in Washington den deutschen Ruf wiederherstellen kann
If the German Chancellor wants to retain Germany's key role in Europe, he needs to send a clear message during his visit to Washington. Part of that message: a commitment to military deterrence.… -
Commentary 10 Jan 2022
Verteidiger von Zwangsarbeit? Wie deutsche CEOs in der Chinapolitik kommunikative Eigentore schießen
"Siemens defends slave labor (again)" was on the cover of last week's "Spectator". This headline is an object lesson in what is wrong with some German CEOs' position on China. What happened?… -
Commentary 30 Dec 2021
Seven Lessons From the German 5G Debate
That German parliamentarians asserted themselves against pro-Huawei lobbyists and decision-makers in the executive branch is the most uplifting part of the German 5G saga. Now parliament should also work to ensure that Germany learns the other key lessons from its debate on who should be allowed to provide technology for critical infrastructure.… -
Commentary 10 Nov 2021
How Germany Can Help Ensure Peace in the Taiwan Strait
Germany's next government should courageously invest in relations with Taiwan, out of economic and political self-interest. In doing so, Berlin and Europe can actively contribute to a non-military deterrence of Beijing's increasingly aggressive stance in the region.… -
Commentary 09 Nov 2021
Europe Is Doubling Down on Taiwan
The European Parliament and some member states are driving a major shift in Europe's Taiwan policy – a direct reaction to Beijing’s increasingly confrontational stance. But for the new Brussels consensus to effectively deter Chinese aggression, the EU needs to move in lockstep.… -
Commentary 28 Oct 2021
Deutschland muss Peking in Taiwan die Stirn bieten
Peking erhöht den Druck auf deutsche Akteure, die Ein-China-Politik umzudeuten. Deutschland muss sich zur Unabhängigkeit Taiwans positionieren – und wenn nötig wirtschaftliche Druckmittel einsetzen.… -
Article 27 Oct 2021
How (Not) to Deal with the Vulnerabilities of Democracies to Outside Influence
In recent years, authoritarian states like China and Russia have used their power to influence democracies. What can democratic actors do to better protect themselves? … -
Commentary 10 Sep 2021
Germany’s Acid Test: Systemic Competition
To compete against systemic rivals like China, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s successor will need to be more ambitious in strengthening the German model. How could that look?… -
Commentary 08 Sep 2021
The ‘Zoomification’ of Academia: Addressing Risks to Academic Freedom
The pandemic made online learning a key part of university life. But virtual platforms also allow for surveillance by authoritarian states and increase pressures to self-censor. How can academia better protect scholars and students?… -
Commentary 01 Sep 2021
Mit Fragezeichen im Systemwettbewerb
Angela Merkel versprach einst eine „neue Gründerzeit“. Die muss ihren Nachfolgern nun gelingen, damit Deutschland gegen Autokratien wie China bestehen kann.… -
Commentary 17 Aug 2021
Wissenschaft, Medien und Politik schaden sich in der Corona-Krise gegenseitig
Corona zeigt, wie schwierig das Verhältnis von Wissenschaft, Politik und Medien sein kann. Ein Plädoyer gegen eine weitere Polarisierung der Debatte.… -
Commentary 05 Aug 2021
Pitfalls Between Science, Politics and Public Debate: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers with dissenting opinions are often classified as an irrelevant minority. But those who deny the real diversity of scientific opinion undermine trust in science – and in politics.… -
Commentary 26 Jul 2021
Die Untergangsängste der Kanzlerin
Ja, es geht auch um deutsche Wirtschaftsinteressen. Doch der wahre Grund für Merkels zurückhaltende China-Politik ist ein anderer: Sie hält Deutschland und das fragile Gebilde Europa für zu schwach im Wettbewerb mit China.… -
Commentary 14 Jul 2021
The Undeniable Pessimism of Angela Merkel’s Worldview
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's policy on China is defined by a doom-and-gloom mentality about Europe’s trajectory of power. If Berlin's new government wants to change course, it'll need a psychological shift.…