International Reports

The EU is rethinking its place in a world shaped by Russia’s war against Ukraine, growing competition with China and uncertainty in its relationship with the United States. What does that mean for the countries Europe wants to work with?
In this episode of International Reports, Dr. Olaf Wientzek and Sven Nicolay from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Multinational Development Policy Dialogue in Brussels speak about the EU’s changing partnership policy. They discuss Canada, the Global Gateway investment initiative, critical raw materials and the growing demand for partnerships on more equal terms.
How can the EU pursue its economic and security interests while...

Europe needs lithium for its energy transition and electric mobility. But its dependence on China for critical raw materials and processing has become a growing strategic vulnerability.
Bolivia could offer an alternative. Following a major political shift, the country is opening up to new international partners, creating an opportunity for Germany and Europe to strengthen their access to one of the world’s most important lithium resources.
But securing raw materials is only part of the challenge. Can Europe compete with China’s speed and investment power while offering greater transparency, local participation and long-term economic development? And can new partnerships also...

Three decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa’s young democracy faces profound challenges. Persistent inequality, political polarization, and the legacy of racial segregation continue to shape the country’s future. Following the 2024 elections, the African National Congress (ANC) lost significant support and entered a Government of National Unity with several other parties. At the same time, populist movements and identity-based politics are reshaping the political landscape, making consensus and stable governance increasingly difficult. In this episode, we explore with Gregor Jaecke, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s South Africa Office, and Doctor Holger Dix, Head of the Konrad- Adenauer...

Latin America is once again in political transition—this time tilting to the right. In this episode, Henning Suhr, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Regional Programme Party Dialogue and Democracy in Latin America, and Olaf Jacob, Head of KAS in Chile, discuss the decline of the “pink tide” and the rise of leaders like Javier Milei and Nayib Bukele. Driven by a younger, less ideological electorate, the shift reflects demands for stability, growth, and accountability. But is this a durable realignment—or another turn in the region’s political cycle?