Policy Advice

From the Gaza War and ethnic conflicts in Lebanon and Syria to the significance of a second Trump administration for the region, the MENA remains of central importance for Europe. We present ten topics that will play a prominent role in relations between the two regions in the year ahead.

Despite progress in some countries and issue areas, increasing pressure on governments is set to continue in 2025. Democratic prospects are mixed; security challenges persist. Regional integration stands at a crossroads as German and EU Africa policy navigates competition with China and others.

For Mexico, Trump 2.0 means serious challenges. The incoming US president will try to pressure Mexico into stopping the flow of legal and illegal goods, people, and jobs. De-escalation and concessions are the most likely outcome, given how much there is at stake for both sides.

In November 2024, Israel’s Knesset advanced the controversial Spyware Law, expanding therewith the police’s surveillance powers. Critics argue it threatens democracy, undermines civil liberties, and lacks proper oversight, sparking fierce debate over its implications for freedom and security.

Sixty years after the founding of the GIGA, historical legacies still drive the “one-way street” of research collaboration between Germany and Africa. Creative digital approaches, such as “big-team science,” are needed to accelerate joint knowledge creation with the continent.

The G20 summit in Brazil will take place at a crossroads in the global power dynamic. The traditional dominance of the rich nations is being challenged by a more united Global South, while diplomatic bridges need to be built to address pressing economic, political, and environmental issues.

The 2024 US presidential election will redefine America’s role in the Middle East. With US priorities being revisited, Europe must recalibrate its foreign policy in the region to safeguard strategic interests such as regional stability, energy security, and the management of migration flows.

President Marcos Jr. has been driving the digital transformation of the Philippines since 2022. Internet infrastructure and cybersecurity are undergoing improvements as part of an effort to position the country as a digital leader, with key collaborations involving Germany, Japan, and the World Bank.