For more than 50 years, the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (German
Institute for International and Security Affairs - SWP) has provided analysis
on foreign policy issues not only to the Bundestag and the German Federal
Government, but also to economic actors and the general public. While the SWP
initially dealt primarily with issues of disarmament, today there is a broad
spectrum of analysis ranging from classic security policy issues to aspects
of climate protection and the political challenges associated with resource
scarcity.
What makes the SWP stand out in relation to other bodies providing policy
advice is that it relies on the informed analytical expertise of its own
researchers. The SWP not only acts as a service provider through its
procurement of up-to-date information and its needs-based advising, but also
provides a venue for the execution of thorough analytical work. The Institute
attaches particular importance to maintaining independence in selecting its
focus areas.