Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik

The German Council on Foreign Relations, also known as Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (DGAP), operates as a prominent think tank headquartered in Germany. Its core function centers on conducting research, analysis, and fostering dialogue concerning international relations and foreign policy matters. The organization engages deeply in geopolitical discourse, providing insights and policy recommendations aimed at influencing decision-makers and public understanding of global affairs. Its activities involve analyzing international developments, hosting events, and publishing research on critical foreign policy challenges facing Germany and Europe. The DGAP serves as a key platform for experts and policymakers to discuss and debate strategic international issues.

This institution positions itself as an influential entity within the sphere of international policy research and analysis. Its work attracts attention from state actors, evidenced by its targeting in cyber operations. In October 2018, the DGAP was infiltrated by Russian government-affiliated hackers. Microsoft identified this campaign as part of a broader effort to compromise policy research institutions critical of Russia, mirroring previous tactics used against similar organizations. The attackers sought unauthorized access to the council's systems, highlighting persistent threats faced by non-governmental organizations shaping geopolitical narratives. This incident underscores the DGAP's status as a significant player whose analyses and critiques are deemed impactful enough to warrant state-sponsored cyber espionage.

The targeting of the DGAP exemplifies the cybersecurity risks confronting think tanks involved in sensitive international affairs analysis. Its role necessitates engaging with contentious geopolitical topics, making it a potential target for actors seeking to undermine critical voices or gather intelligence. The organization operates independently, focusing on providing expert analysis on foreign relations without explicit mention of specific regulatory roles beyond its advisory capacity. Its distinguishing attribute lies in its dedicated focus on German and European foreign policy within the broader international context, attracting scrutiny from adversaries seeking to influence or disrupt such discourse. The DGAP remains a notable contributor to the analysis and debate surrounding Germany's place in the world.