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).
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:
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:
Pleasure to participate in Delphi Slemani (Sulaymaniyah) Forum
and speak on Iraq in a changing geopolitical environment. The meeting certainly helped to bring Iraqi Kurdistan on the map of (mainly) Greek and European businesspeople. Also brought thinkers and doers across regions together.
and speak on Iraq in a changing geopolitical environment. The meeting certainly helped to bring Iraqi Kurdistan on the map of (mainly) Greek and European businesspeople. Also brought thinkers and doers across regions together.
May 20, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Pleasure to participate in Delphi Slemani (Sulaymaniyah) Forum
and speak on Iraq in a changing geopolitical environment. The meeting certainly helped to bring Iraqi Kurdistan on the map of (mainly) Greek and European businesspeople. Also brought thinkers and doers across regions together.
and speak on Iraq in a changing geopolitical environment. The meeting certainly helped to bring Iraqi Kurdistan on the map of (mainly) Greek and European businesspeople. Also brought thinkers and doers across regions together.
and some more views from a very relaxed city. Or so it seems:
May 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM
and some more views from a very relaxed city. Or so it seems:
“Teach them love”: Mural from Sulaimani, Kurdistan Iraq.
May 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM
“Teach them love”: Mural from Sulaimani, Kurdistan Iraq.
Glückwunsch an Katherina Reiche, die gerade als Wirtschaftsministerin nominiert worden ist.
Hier ist ein Artikel, den wir vor 15 Jahren zu einer effizienz- und nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Rohstoffstrategie veröffentlicht haben (FAZ, 20.20.2010). Er ließe sich - fast - so wieder veröffentlichen.
Hier ist ein Artikel, den wir vor 15 Jahren zu einer effizienz- und nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Rohstoffstrategie veröffentlicht haben (FAZ, 20.20.2010). Er ließe sich - fast - so wieder veröffentlichen.
April 28, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Glückwunsch an Katherina Reiche, die gerade als Wirtschaftsministerin nominiert worden ist.
Hier ist ein Artikel, den wir vor 15 Jahren zu einer effizienz- und nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Rohstoffstrategie veröffentlicht haben (FAZ, 20.20.2010). Er ließe sich - fast - so wieder veröffentlichen.
Hier ist ein Artikel, den wir vor 15 Jahren zu einer effizienz- und nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Rohstoffstrategie veröffentlicht haben (FAZ, 20.20.2010). Er ließe sich - fast - so wieder veröffentlichen.
Looking forward to discuss peacemaking and its challenges with a group of excellent colleagues at the 10th Raisina Dialogue (New Delhi) tomorrow
March 18, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Looking forward to discuss peacemaking and its challenges with a group of excellent colleagues at the 10th Raisina Dialogue (New Delhi) tomorrow
Panel on Sudan at the Munich Security Conference. Humanitarian and political aspects. Important discussion and exchanges.
securityconference.org/en/msc-2025/...
securityconference.org/en/msc-2025/...
February 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Panel on Sudan at the Munich Security Conference. Humanitarian and political aspects. Important discussion and exchanges.
securityconference.org/en/msc-2025/...
securityconference.org/en/msc-2025/...
It was a real pleasure to participate in this year‘s World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi, speaking on the Middle East and, more importantly, listening to experts from around the world, and catching up with friends from Europe, India, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Russia, UAE, USA, and others.
December 15, 2024 at 2:08 PM
It was a real pleasure to participate in this year‘s World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi, speaking on the Middle East and, more importantly, listening to experts from around the world, and catching up with friends from Europe, India, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Russia, UAE, USA, and others.
The Asad regime has occupied me for a good part of my academic life and some years of working with the previous UN Special Envoy for Syria.
Now it’s over. Iran, Hizbullah, Russia unable or unwilling to keep Asad in power. Not even his army willing to fight for him.
(More on my LinkedIn account)
Now it’s over. Iran, Hizbullah, Russia unable or unwilling to keep Asad in power. Not even his army willing to fight for him.
(More on my LinkedIn account)
December 8, 2024 at 11:16 AM
The Asad regime has occupied me for a good part of my academic life and some years of working with the previous UN Special Envoy for Syria.
Now it’s over. Iran, Hizbullah, Russia unable or unwilling to keep Asad in power. Not even his army willing to fight for him.
(More on my LinkedIn account)
Now it’s over. Iran, Hizbullah, Russia unable or unwilling to keep Asad in power. Not even his army willing to fight for him.
(More on my LinkedIn account)
Pleasant meeting today with Bafel Talabani, President of PUK, Iraqi Kurdistan. It seems that the Kurdistan region has stabilized further after successful regional elections. Major parties need to agree on a coalition. And Kurdistan as well as Iraq at large is open for business.
November 27, 2024 at 4:58 PM
Pleasant meeting today with Bafel Talabani, President of PUK, Iraqi Kurdistan. It seems that the Kurdistan region has stabilized further after successful regional elections. Major parties need to agree on a coalition. And Kurdistan as well as Iraq at large is open for business.
Something beyond politics this morning: I really don‘t understand the Dubai chocolate hype - why would I eat chocolate filled with knafeh? However, if you want to eat chocolate from the Emirate, they also produce some straight good chocolate. My son particularly loved the camel milk variant.
November 23, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Something beyond politics this morning: I really don‘t understand the Dubai chocolate hype - why would I eat chocolate filled with knafeh? However, if you want to eat chocolate from the Emirate, they also produce some straight good chocolate. My son particularly loved the camel milk variant.
What-I-Read: David Petraeus, Andrew Roberts/ Conflict. The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, 2023.
This is a book about war and military technology from a soldier‘s perspective. Very much about what generals do - but an interesting read.…
(More on my LinkedIn account)
This is a book about war and military technology from a soldier‘s perspective. Very much about what generals do - but an interesting read.…
(More on my LinkedIn account)
November 10, 2024 at 3:39 PM
What-I-Read: David Petraeus, Andrew Roberts/ Conflict. The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine, 2023.
This is a book about war and military technology from a soldier‘s perspective. Very much about what generals do - but an interesting read.…
(More on my LinkedIn account)
This is a book about war and military technology from a soldier‘s perspective. Very much about what generals do - but an interesting read.…
(More on my LinkedIn account)
Very useful roundtable with Saudi colleagues on the Middle East, EU-GCC, maritime security, and Gulf states relations with China, India, and Russia. Full of insights and ideas. Thanks to the German Foreign Office for bringing the group together and to Saudi and German co-panelists for their inputs.
October 31, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Very useful roundtable with Saudi colleagues on the Middle East, EU-GCC, maritime security, and Gulf states relations with China, India, and Russia. Full of insights and ideas. Thanks to the German Foreign Office for bringing the group together and to Saudi and German co-panelists for their inputs.
It seems that the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future will actually agree by consensus on the draft "Pact for the Future". This is quite an achievement.
Let me attach a comment which I published last month (here in English, originally in German):
Let me attach a comment which I published last month (here in English, originally in German):
September 21, 2024 at 1:03 PM
It seems that the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future will actually agree by consensus on the draft "Pact for the Future". This is quite an achievement.
Let me attach a comment which I published last month (here in English, originally in German):
Let me attach a comment which I published last month (here in English, originally in German):
What-I-Read: Robin Niblett, The New Cold War. How the Contest Between the US and China Will Shape our Century (Atlantic Books, London, 2024): While I don’t entirely agree with Niblett’s bipolar frame (see more on my LinkedIn account), this concise, intelligent book is absolutely worth reading.
August 21, 2024 at 3:22 PM
What-I-Read: Robin Niblett, The New Cold War. How the Contest Between the US and China Will Shape our Century (Atlantic Books, London, 2024): While I don’t entirely agree with Niblett’s bipolar frame (see more on my LinkedIn account), this concise, intelligent book is absolutely worth reading.
Thanks to Amb Sautter & team at the German Foreign Office for organizing an inspiring conference on the forthcoming UN Summit of the Future. Big thanks to Ambassadors Leendertse (Germany) & Gertze (Namibia) for their efforts to broker a consensual draft Summit declaration or „Pact for the Future“.
June 25, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Thanks to Amb Sautter & team at the German Foreign Office for organizing an inspiring conference on the forthcoming UN Summit of the Future. Big thanks to Ambassadors Leendertse (Germany) & Gertze (Namibia) for their efforts to broker a consensual draft Summit declaration or „Pact for the Future“.
WhatIRead: Michael Mann, On Wars, Yale University Press, 2023. This is a seminal work about the causes, patterns and social dynamics of war written from a historical and sociological perspective. Leaders who enter wars tend to be overconfident, and the ends sought in war are mostly not reached.
June 17, 2024 at 3:59 PM
WhatIRead: Michael Mann, On Wars, Yale University Press, 2023. This is a seminal work about the causes, patterns and social dynamics of war written from a historical and sociological perspective. Leaders who enter wars tend to be overconfident, and the ends sought in war are mostly not reached.
The main axis leading to Brandenburg Gate in Berlin has now become a green field. Temporarily at least connecting two parts of the city’s main park (the „Tiergarten“). I must say I like the concept.
May 27, 2024 at 9:13 AM
The main axis leading to Brandenburg Gate in Berlin has now become a green field. Temporarily at least connecting two parts of the city’s main park (the „Tiergarten“). I must say I like the concept.
This is a sign of civility and democratic culture: Angela Merkel (CDU) holds a laudatio for Jürgen Trittin (Green Party). Trittin succeeded Merkel as minister of environment when the CDU lost the elections in 1998, he was one of the opposition leaders when Merkel was Chancellor 2005-2021
May 14, 2024 at 6:33 AM
This is a sign of civility and democratic culture: Angela Merkel (CDU) holds a laudatio for Jürgen Trittin (Green Party). Trittin succeeded Merkel as minister of environment when the CDU lost the elections in 1998, he was one of the opposition leaders when Merkel was Chancellor 2005-2021
Two fruitful days in Riyadh have passed. Many insights from German-Saudi workshop at Prince Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, meeting with Saudi diplomats, analysts, business people. And a visit to the impressive Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale.
May 1, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Two fruitful days in Riyadh have passed. Many insights from German-Saudi workshop at Prince Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, meeting with Saudi diplomats, analysts, business people. And a visit to the impressive Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale.
#WhatIRead: Jens Bastian, Turkey as an Emerging Global Arms Exporter (2024). Excellent short study for the @CATS_Network on #Turkey‘s efforts to become an autonomous arms producer. Also a case study on how sanctions can influence states‘ orientations.
www.swp-berlin.org/publications...
www.swp-berlin.org/publications...
April 27, 2024 at 12:02 PM
#WhatIRead: Jens Bastian, Turkey as an Emerging Global Arms Exporter (2024). Excellent short study for the @CATS_Network on #Turkey‘s efforts to become an autonomous arms producer. Also a case study on how sanctions can influence states‘ orientations.
www.swp-berlin.org/publications...
www.swp-berlin.org/publications...