German Council on Foreign Relations

The German Council on Foreign Relations, also known as DGAP, is a foreign policy think tank based in Germany. It conducts research and analysis on international relations, security policy, European affairs and transatlantic relations. The organization produces policy briefs, studies and reports that are intended for policymakers, academics and the public. DGAP also organizes conferences, workshops and public lectures to facilitate dialogue on global issues.

DGAP positions itself as an independent, non‑partisan institution that bridges expertise from academia, government and civil society. Its work is characterized by a focus on evidence‑based policy recommendations and a commitment to fostering informed debate. The think tank maintains a network of senior fellows, visiting scholars and external experts who contribute to its projects. Over the years it has become known for publications such as the DGAP Brief series and the DGAP Kompakt analyses.

In October 2018 the organization was targeted by Russian government‑affiliated hackers seeking to infiltrate its systems, an incident highlighted by Microsoft as part of a broader campaign against critical think tanks. The attack underscored the heightened cyber‑threat environment faced by non‑governmental organizations engaged in international affairs analysis. Despite the intrusion attempt, DGAP continued its research and outreach activities. The episode is often cited when discussing the need for robust cybersecurity measures among policy research institutions.