Volker Perthes
@perthes.bsky.social
Scholar-Speaker-Advisor. Visiting Fellow and former CEO (2005-2020) Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
Former UN Under-Secretary-General (2021-March 2024), SRSG for Sudan (2021-2023).
Former UN Under-Secretary-General (2021-March 2024), SRSG for Sudan (2021-2023).
Longer interview in Internationale Politik (in German). We speak about Greenland (the interview was recorded before the latest tariff threats from President Trump), about Sudan, Iran, the EU, and international law.
internationalepolitik.de/de/europa-mu...
internationalepolitik.de/de/europa-mu...
„Europa muss Trump deutlich machen: Bis hierhin und nicht weiter!“
Venezuela, Grönland, Ukraine, Sudan, Iran: Weltweit steht das Völkerrecht unter Druck. Ein Gespräch mit Volker Perthes über das Ringen um internationale Ordnung, den richtigen Umgang mit Donald Trumps...
internationalepolitik.de
January 19, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Longer interview in Internationale Politik (in German). We speak about Greenland (the interview was recorded before the latest tariff threats from President Trump), about Sudan, Iran, the EU, and international law.
internationalepolitik.de/de/europa-mu...
internationalepolitik.de/de/europa-mu...
Iraqi-Kurdisch outlet GulanMedia interviewed me on global and regional order. Among my (certainly debatable) points: Kurdistan Regional Government could play a more constructive role in Iraq. Institutionalised decentralisation could strenghten Syria, not weaken it. www.gulanmedia.com/en/story/353...
www.gulanmedia.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Iraqi-Kurdisch outlet GulanMedia interviewed me on global and regional order. Among my (certainly debatable) points: Kurdistan Regional Government could play a more constructive role in Iraq. Institutionalised decentralisation could strenghten Syria, not weaken it. www.gulanmedia.com/en/story/353...
Om this day last year, 8 Dec 2024, the house of Asad fell like a house of cards. Congratulations to the Syrian people!
Today, challenges abound, but so do opportunities. My argument, in this @foreignaffairs.com article, is still valid:
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/dont-l...
Today, challenges abound, but so do opportunities. My argument, in this @foreignaffairs.com article, is still valid:
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/dont-l...
Don’t Let Geopolitics Ruin Syria’s Transition
Outside actors must put the country’s needs above their narrow interests.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Om this day last year, 8 Dec 2024, the house of Asad fell like a house of cards. Congratulations to the Syrian people!
Today, challenges abound, but so do opportunities. My argument, in this @foreignaffairs.com article, is still valid:
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/dont-l...
Today, challenges abound, but so do opportunities. My argument, in this @foreignaffairs.com article, is still valid:
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/dont-l...
This is an almost correct account of a rather deep discussion in Athens, 4 Dec 2025, organized by Delphi Economic Forum, ToVima, and The Council on Greece in Global Affairs. Some details of what I and others said were apparently lost or misunderstood in translation.
www.tovima.com/politics/ath...
www.tovima.com/politics/ath...
Athens Policy Dialogues Opens With High-Level Debate on Gaza’s Next Day - tovima.com
To Vima’s two-day Athens Policy Dialogues convened prominent international figures for a discussion on the Gaza peace plan, shifting regional power dynamics, and the conditions needed for stability th...
www.tovima.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:17 PM
This is an almost correct account of a rather deep discussion in Athens, 4 Dec 2025, organized by Delphi Economic Forum, ToVima, and The Council on Greece in Global Affairs. Some details of what I and others said were apparently lost or misunderstood in translation.
www.tovima.com/politics/ath...
www.tovima.com/politics/ath...
Reposted by Volker Perthes
Um den Krieg im Sudan zu beenden, müssen die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate und Ägypten ihre Unterstützung einstellen, sagt @perthes.bsky.social im Dlf-Interview. Er glaubt nicht an ein schnelles Ende des Krieges. www.deutschlandfunk.de/interview-mi...
Brutale RSF im Sudan will mit einseitiger Waffenruhe Image aufpolieren und kämpft trotzdem weiter
Die im Sudan kämpfende RSF-Miliz hat eine einseitige humanitäre Waffenruhe ausgerufen. Sie hält sich aber selbst nicht dran, beobachtet Politologe Perthes.
www.deutschlandfunk.de
November 28, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Um den Krieg im Sudan zu beenden, müssen die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate und Ägypten ihre Unterstützung einstellen, sagt @perthes.bsky.social im Dlf-Interview. Er glaubt nicht an ein schnelles Ende des Krieges. www.deutschlandfunk.de/interview-mi...
Reposted by Volker Perthes
We have a new #InIIS_InSIGHTS episode out, this time with Volker Perthes (@perthes.bsky.social) on recent #military developments in the civil #war in #Sudan, the rebel occupation of and massacres in Al-Fasher, the role of #diplomacy & his own #UN experiences.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3f9...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3f9...
InIIS InSIGHTS, "The War in Sudan" with Volker Perthes
YouTube video by InIIS
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
We have a new #InIIS_InSIGHTS episode out, this time with Volker Perthes (@perthes.bsky.social) on recent #military developments in the civil #war in #Sudan, the rebel occupation of and massacres in Al-Fasher, the role of #diplomacy & his own #UN experiences.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3f9...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3f9...
Longer article on the “ignored war” in Sudan in Süddeutsche Zeitung (22.11.2025): the meaning of RSF conquering al-Fashir; the “military component”, their war, and their backers; the RSF narrative and its historical background; and what it needs to end the war.
www.sueddeutsche.de/leben/geschi...
www.sueddeutsche.de/leben/geschi...
November 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Longer article on the “ignored war” in Sudan in Süddeutsche Zeitung (22.11.2025): the meaning of RSF conquering al-Fashir; the “military component”, their war, and their backers; the RSF narrative and its historical background; and what it needs to end the war.
www.sueddeutsche.de/leben/geschi...
www.sueddeutsche.de/leben/geschi...
Reposted by Volker Perthes
»Bislang und in absoluten Zahlen hat er die größte humanitäre Katastrophe des 21. Jahrhunderts ausgelöst.« Ein Gastbeitrag von @perthes.bsky.social über den Krieg im Sudan (Paywall): www.sueddeutsche.de/leben/geschi...
Sudan: Die Geschichte eines Krieges, der einfach nicht enden will
Die Katastrophe im Sudan wird in Europa wenig wahrgenommen. Über Geschichte und Ursachen eines der brutalsten Konflikte der Gegenwart.
www.sueddeutsche.de
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
»Bislang und in absoluten Zahlen hat er die größte humanitäre Katastrophe des 21. Jahrhunderts ausgelöst.« Ein Gastbeitrag von @perthes.bsky.social über den Krieg im Sudan (Paywall): www.sueddeutsche.de/leben/geschi...
Radio interview on Sudan this morning n Germany‘s „Deutschlandfunk“. Fighting will not stop as long as the RSF (as well as the Army) receive enough material support from outside to continue their war.
www.deutschlandfunk.de/gibt-es-ausw...
www.deutschlandfunk.de/gibt-es-ausw...
Konflikt im Sudan - Früherer UN-Beauftragter beklagt schwere Menschenrechtsverstöße
www.deutschlandfunk.de
October 31, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Radio interview on Sudan this morning n Germany‘s „Deutschlandfunk“. Fighting will not stop as long as the RSF (as well as the Army) receive enough material support from outside to continue their war.
www.deutschlandfunk.de/gibt-es-ausw...
www.deutschlandfunk.de/gibt-es-ausw...
Today‘s interview on Sudan in Germany‘s Süddeutsche Zeitung. One side is a murderous militia. The other expels the head of the World Food Program in Sudan when aid is more needed than anytime. This, and why the international community is not there, and who helps, and what needs to be done …
October 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Today‘s interview on Sudan in Germany‘s Süddeutsche Zeitung. One side is a murderous militia. The other expels the head of the World Food Program in Sudan when aid is more needed than anytime. This, and why the international community is not there, and who helps, and what needs to be done …
We need to see the challenges of the Gaza ceasefire and ”peace plan”, but make it work nonetheless. Don’t expect everybody just being compliant and cooperative after two years of war.
My interview in Aargauer Zeitung and some other Swiss papers:
My interview in Aargauer Zeitung and some other Swiss papers:
October 25, 2025 at 8:09 AM
We need to see the challenges of the Gaza ceasefire and ”peace plan”, but make it work nonetheless. Don’t expect everybody just being compliant and cooperative after two years of war.
My interview in Aargauer Zeitung and some other Swiss papers:
My interview in Aargauer Zeitung and some other Swiss papers:
Thanks to stars - for Leaders of the Next Generation for inviting me to a quick half hour on international challenges and uncertainties.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_bp...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_bp...
Complexity is Destiny – Orientation in Times of No Direction with Volker PERTHES
YouTube video by stars - for Leaders of the Next Generation
www.youtube.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Thanks to stars - for Leaders of the Next Generation for inviting me to a quick half hour on international challenges and uncertainties.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_bp...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_bp...
Syria holds indirect parliamentary elections this week. Despite a lot of domestic and external challenges, the country has a real chance to stabilize and take off again. Longer interview in Germany's Frankfurter Rundschau:
www.fr.de/politik/expe...
www.fr.de/politik/expe...
Experte Volker Perthes sieht „Chance, dass Syrien sich stabilisiert“
Politikwissenschaftler Volker Perthes über die Herausforderungen bei Syriens Wiederaufbau und wie wichtig die Inklusion auch von Minderheiten für das Gelingen ist.
www.fr.de
September 15, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Syria holds indirect parliamentary elections this week. Despite a lot of domestic and external challenges, the country has a real chance to stabilize and take off again. Longer interview in Germany's Frankfurter Rundschau:
www.fr.de/politik/expe...
www.fr.de/politik/expe...
Radio Interview (in German) on the political and geopolitical nature of Israel’s cabinet decision to build the “E1” settlement in the West Bank:
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
Podcast: Israels Siedlungspläne: Friedensprozess gezielt blockiert?
Israels neue Siedlungspläne im Westjordanland sorgen international für Kritik. Politologe Volker Perthes sieht darin eine bewusste Blockade für die Gründung eines Palästinenserstaats.
www.ardaudiothek.de
August 21, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Radio Interview (in German) on the political and geopolitical nature of Israel’s cabinet decision to build the “E1” settlement in the West Bank:
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
Rather unusual article in Germany’s main tabloid on hunger in Sudan.
And some quotes from me on the human-made nature of the hunger catastrophe, hunger as a weapon, and the rather symbolic nature of airdrops (in Sudan as well as Gaza).
www.bild.de/politik/ausl...
And some quotes from me on the human-made nature of the hunger catastrophe, hunger as a weapon, and the rather symbolic nature of airdrops (in Sudan as well as Gaza).
www.bild.de/politik/ausl...
Sudan: Diese Hungersnot hat die Welt vergessen
Seit April 2023 herrscht Bürgerkrieg im Sudan. Millionen leiden unter Hunger. Besonders dramatisch ist die Situation in Darfur.
www.bild.de
August 13, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Rather unusual article in Germany’s main tabloid on hunger in Sudan.
And some quotes from me on the human-made nature of the hunger catastrophe, hunger as a weapon, and the rather symbolic nature of airdrops (in Sudan as well as Gaza).
www.bild.de/politik/ausl...
And some quotes from me on the human-made nature of the hunger catastrophe, hunger as a weapon, and the rather symbolic nature of airdrops (in Sudan as well as Gaza).
www.bild.de/politik/ausl...
Here is a rather long interview (print and video) I gave to Al Majalla on Sudan as well as on developments in the Middle East. It was recorded before the so-called “12 days war” between Israel and Iran, but only published on 12 July.
en.majalla.com/node/326421/...
en.majalla.com/node/326421/...
Volker Perthes: fragmentation and stalemate awaits Sudan
In a wide-ranging interview, the German scholar and former UN envoy offers a sobering assessment of the conflict's trajectory.
en.majalla.com
July 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Here is a rather long interview (print and video) I gave to Al Majalla on Sudan as well as on developments in the Middle East. It was recorded before the so-called “12 days war” between Israel and Iran, but only published on 12 July.
en.majalla.com/node/326421/...
en.majalla.com/node/326421/...
Was macht gute wissenschaftliche Beratung für die Außenpolitik aus? Talkshowauftritte sicher nicht, Unabhängigkeit und Relevanz schon. Und dass Politik den Rat erhält, den sie braucht, nicht den, den sie sich wünscht.
Mein Essay in internationalepolitik.de
internationalepolitik.de/de/wegweiser...
Mein Essay in internationalepolitik.de
internationalepolitik.de/de/wegweiser...
Wegweiser für die Weltbühne
Unabhängig forschen, praxisorientiert denken, transparent kommunizieren: Was wissen
schaftliche Außenpolitikberatung ist, was sie kann und wofür sie gebraucht wird.
internationalepolitik.de
July 1, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Was macht gute wissenschaftliche Beratung für die Außenpolitik aus? Talkshowauftritte sicher nicht, Unabhängigkeit und Relevanz schon. Und dass Politik den Rat erhält, den sie braucht, nicht den, den sie sich wünscht.
Mein Essay in internationalepolitik.de
internationalepolitik.de/de/wegweiser...
Mein Essay in internationalepolitik.de
internationalepolitik.de/de/wegweiser...
Virtual, imagined reality now shaping real politics more than physical reality. It’s no longer important whether Iran’s nuclear program was “totally obliterated” or just “set back” for a few months. We don’t know. But as long as all agree it is “severely damaged”, all can maintain the ceasefire.
June 26, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Virtual, imagined reality now shaping real politics more than physical reality. It’s no longer important whether Iran’s nuclear program was “totally obliterated” or just “set back” for a few months. We don’t know. But as long as all agree it is “severely damaged”, all can maintain the ceasefire.
Some thoughts on Iran, the forgetfulness of policy-makers who phantasize about regime change, and the advantages of diplomacy. In a German-language interview with IPG Journal:
www.ipg-journal.de/interviews/a...
www.ipg-journal.de/interviews/a...
„Wir machen einen Crashkurs in Realpolitik“
Volker Perthes über den US-Angriff auf Irans Atomanlagen, europäische Diplomatie und die Erosion des Völkerrechts.
www.ipg-journal.de
June 24, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Some thoughts on Iran, the forgetfulness of policy-makers who phantasize about regime change, and the advantages of diplomacy. In a German-language interview with IPG Journal:
www.ipg-journal.de/interviews/a...
www.ipg-journal.de/interviews/a...
It seems we find ourselves in a spiral of insanity. Of course further escalation between Iran, Israel and the US can still be stopped. This would need a heroic decision from Iran not to seek retaliation, and from Washington to call it a victory and move to diplomacy again.
June 22, 2025 at 2:18 AM
It seems we find ourselves in a spiral of insanity. Of course further escalation between Iran, Israel and the US can still be stopped. This would need a heroic decision from Iran not to seek retaliation, and from Washington to call it a victory and move to diplomacy again.
Some thoughts on the current war between Israel and Iran. And why there would be a good opportunity to end it today. On my @LinkedIn account:
June 16, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Some thoughts on the current war between Israel and Iran. And why there would be a good opportunity to end it today. On my @LinkedIn account:
Interview with DLF-Kultur (in German, from minute 4.50) on Israel’s attack on Iran and Iran’s reaction. Israel attacked because it could: because Iran is weak & to prevent a US-Iran deal. Not a “pre-emptive” strike. No need for any side to escalate.
www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/nach-angriff...
www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/nach-angriff...
Nach Angriff Israels auf Iran: droht Flächenbrand in Nahost?
www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de
June 14, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Interview with DLF-Kultur (in German, from minute 4.50) on Israel’s attack on Iran and Iran’s reaction. Israel attacked because it could: because Iran is weak & to prevent a US-Iran deal. Not a “pre-emptive” strike. No need for any side to escalate.
www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/nach-angriff...
www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/nach-angriff...