Our Political Breakfasts and Background Discussions 2021

Upon invitation by Körber-Stiftung, Nitzan Horowitz, Minister of Health of the State of Israel, shared his views on Israeli domestic and foreign policy during a Background Discussion with foreign policy decision-makers, including members of the German Bundestag, select representatives of various ministries and experts from renowned think tanks. On 29 October 2021, Nitzan Horowitz discussed current global health issues as well as ongoing challenges of the Coronavirus crisis. The debate also touched upon the political situation within Israel and, against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts, Israel’s role in the region. Furthermore, the participants discussed international strategies and opportunities for cooperation regarding international climate policy.

Vladimir Milov, advisor to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, spoke about Russian domestic and foreign policy as part of the Digital Background Discussions on 15 September 2021. Together with foreign policy decision-makers – including members of the German Bundestag, select representatives of various ministries and experts from renowned think tanks – Vladimir Milov discussed the current political situation in Russia and beyond. Against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in Russia, the debate addressed above all the role of the Russian opposition at home and abroad. Furthermore, the participants discussed the current approval ratings of the ruling party as well as the electoral process in Russia. 

The journalist and author Ahmed Rashid spoke about the current crisis in Afghanistan as part of the Digital Background Discussion on 31 August 2021. Together with foreign policy decision-makers – including members of the German Bundestag, select representatives of various ministries and experts from renowned think tanks – Ahmed Rashid discussed the current situation in the region. Against the backdrop of the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan, the debate emphasised above all the need for coordinated international support to protect the Afghan population. Furthermore, the participants discussed the actions of the international community in the region as well as potential future government constellations in Afghanistan. 

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama, spoke about current developments in the Western Balkans as part of the Digital Background Discussion on 7 July 2021. Together with foreign policy decision-makers – including members of the German Bundestag, select representatives of various ministries and experts from renowned think tanks – Edi Rama discussed current challenges in the region. The importance of strengthening regional cooperation and fostering closer ties with the EU was given great importance in the light of the Berlin Summit 2021. The participants also discussed the role of China in the Western Balkans, possible prospects for the region and the enlargement of the EU. 

The former president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, spoke about current developments in Afghanistan as part of the Digital Background Discussion on 28 May 2021. Together with foreign policy decision-makers – including members of the German Bundestag, select representatives of various ministries and experts from renowned think tanks – Hamid Karzai discussed current challenges in the region. The importance of multilateral cooperation was given paramount importance as a prerequisite for stabilizing the security situation. The participants also discussed Afghanistan’s expectations towards the international community and possible regional measures with regards to the peace process.

On 27 April 2021, Körber-Stiftung launched a new version of the Digital Background Discussions series, the »Hybrid Background Discussion«. From our Berlin offices overlooking the Brandenburg Gate, Ivan Korčok, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, spoke digitally with representatives from the German Bundestag, the German Federal Foreign Office and experts from think tanks about the EU in a post-pandemic world. The importance of NATO was given particular attention in the debate also with regard to Transatlantic relations. The participants also discussed the EU Recovery plan as a chance for economic modernization and reflected on EU-Russian relations.

On 11 March 2021, Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), met with representatives from the German Bundestag, the German Federal Foreign Office and experts from think tanks for a Digital Background Discussion on the humanitarian implications of COVID-19. Together with the German policy community, he discussed current challenges for humanitarian aid and those exacerbated by the Corona pandemic. The participants talked about the pandemic as a catalyst for conflicts and discussed the role of international humanitarian law in crisis management and prevention. In this context, the identification of local needs was given paramount importance.

Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, kicked off this year’s digital Background Discussion series on 19 January 2021, by talking about current developments in the Middle East. Together with decision-makers of the German foreign policy community – including members of the German Bundestag, select representatives of various German ministries and experts of renowned think tanks – the Minister discussed current challenges in the region and those exacerbated by the Corona pandemic. The importance of multilateral cooperation was given paramount importance in the debate, with Ayman Safadi as well as participants emphasizing its relevance in dealing with global challenges. The participants also discussed regional strategies for dealing with COVID-19, developments in the Middle East conflict and strategies in migration policy.