Mission Statement

The activities of the Institute for Security Policy at the University of Kiel focus on two main goals:

  • Research in the field of security policy
  • Promotion of young researchers in the field of strategic sciences

Research in the field of security policy

In the field of security policy there is an observable trend in recent years towards diversification in security policy topics and research hypotheses.
In spite of or due to this development ISUK has defined a few central fields or topics of concentrated interest. In this context there are four particular main topics which deserve mention:

  • Transatlantic Relations and US Foreign and Defense Policy

    • In the face of increasing formal differences between transatlantic partners and repeated stressful challenges in transatlantic relations ISUK has set a priority to objectively analyse these relations as well as highlighting the general topic of US foreign and defense policy. More prevailing than ever it appears necessary to analyse the current problems soberly and impartially in order to facilitate mutual understanding. Through this, primarily in the framework of NATO, it is intended to arrive at an effective common procedure against acute and future forms of threat. The Institute intends to contribute to this task.

  • Arms Control and Non-proliferation

    • The problem of arms control and non-proliferation is one of the few security policy topics which is still relevant after the end of the Cold War. The continual high relevance of this topic is explicitly underscored in view of the efforts states such as Iran or North Korea are presently making in developing nuclear weapons. In addition, the particular explosiveness of this topic is notable in threat scenarios which prognose a connection between nuclear and terrorist strategies. Confrontations with non-state actors constitute a special new challenge for arms control mechanisms and non-proliferation policy. Developments of this kind in the classical field of security policy emphasize the necessity for an ongoing analysis of threats in order to be able to develop appropriate answers to novel or modified threats.

  • Terrorism

    • In the aftermath of the terrorist strikes on September 11, 2001 terrorism has become one of the central subjects in the field of security policy. Daily newscasts about bombings – mainly in countries in the Near East and the Middle East – regularly underscore the relevance of this topic for a worldwide threat analysis. Furthermore, the attacks in Madrid and London have shown that Europe is also directly affected by terrorist threats. Hand in hand with the growing relevance of this thema is the growing number of scientific papers on this subject. However, such studies have not always met scientific standards. Therefore, a debate based on facts and figures is an absolute necessity in order to develop adequate recommendations for political decisions based on realistic threat analyses.
    To correct the often stated deficiency of reliable information ISUK initiated the research project “Yearbook on International Terrorism”. Within the scope of this project data on terrorist attacks, terrorist groups and governmental anti-terror measures is collected daily. This compilation will ultimately be made available to the public in conjunction with analyses on special questions about terrorism. But first and foremost it will be presented to the scientific field as a regularly published yearbook. The main analytical emphasis will vary from issue to issue. In the 2006 issue Islamic-fundamental terrorism constitutes the main focus.

  • Islam and Democracy

    • A related area to the research topic of terrorism is the subject “Islam and Democracy”, though the emphasis here is placed on questions of security policy in civil areas. Thus, the team of the project “Islam and Politics” concentrates on the question of the integration of Muslims in European societies as well as the possibilities and limits of democratization and nonviolent conflict regulation in Middle East states. The research group is a joint project between the Deutschen Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (DGAP) and ISUK. The participants are representatives of Muslim organizations in Germany, politicians, public officials, journalists and experts from Germany as well as representatives of the foreign press. A further research project which also deals with the topic of Islam and democracy is the related project entitled “Democratization in Iraq”. The development of the Iraqi constitution has been observed, analysed and commentated on since the beginning of 2004. The focal point of this project is the question if and how democracy can be anchored in Iraq as an organizing principle on a long term basis.

    In addition to these current projects, ISUK intends to add marine security and defense politics to the list of present analyses. Marine security and defense policy is a special priority due to the fact that Germany is a country which is dependent on the security of marine supply channels and in addition is an industrial nation which leads in the production of submarines. Furthermore, ISUK is located in Kiel – a traditional shipyard and marine city. Therefore, studies concerning marine security and defense policy are well suited here. Studies shall cover national as well as international aspects which are often closely related to one another. This can be exemplified by the German commitment in the context of the anti-terror operation `Enduring Freedom´ at the Horn of Africa. This instance exemplifies that marine security and defense politics must deal with novel phenomena such as international terrorism and piracy. Apart from classical security challenges, piracy is becoming a growing threat to marine supply channels.
    Promotion of young academics

    In addition to the mentioned research projects a further focal point of activities is the promotion of young academics in the area of strategic studies. A main focal point here is the aspect of teaching. Numerous courses on topics of security policy as well as an academic library which focuses on questions of security policy set up the appropriate framework in order to facilitate studies in this field. Furthermore, the awarding of scholarships by the Society for Security Policy and Arms Control is a financial instrument which offers outstanding young researchers the opportunity to work on doctoral studies under optimal conditions. The sponsorship of young researchers in the often neglected field of security policy should contribute to the development of a network of expertise in which questions and problems in the area of security policy are discussed and analysed resulting in the development of practically oriented policy recommendations.
    The purpose of the activities of the Institute for Security Policy is to contribute to the security policy debate on a national and an international level by means of founded scholarly policy recommendations and by developing appropriate answers to present security challenges in order to make proposals for shaping German security policy.

    The institute is supported by the Society for Security Policy and Arms Control (Gesellschaft für Sicherheitspolitik und Rüstungskontrolle - Deutsches Strategieforum e.V.) und finances itself through project funding as well. It collaborates with the chair for Political Science at the University of Kiel whose academic library particularly specializes on security policy topics.
    ISUK was founded during the 1980’s by Prof. Dr. Werner Kaltefleiter. After his death in 1998 the official functions were assumed by the assistant director, Prof. Dr. Ulrike Schumacher. Prof. Dr. Joachim Krause has been the new director of the institute since February 2002. Dr. Kristina Eichhorst has been the managing director since January 2006.