Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Former German Minister of Defense, Joins CSIS as Distinguished Statesman

Press Release — September 29, 2011

WASHINGTON, September 29, 2011– The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) is pleased to announce that Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, former Minister of Defense and Minister of Economy of the Federal Republic of Germany, has joined CSIS as a Distinguished Statesman.

“It is an honor to welcome Minister zu Guttenberg to CSIS as we look forward to enhancing the Center’s research and analysis of Europe’s sweeping economic, political and defense transformation and its impact on the future of the transatlantic relationship,” said CSIS President and CEO John Hamre. “Karl-Theodor’s energy, enthusiasm, and deep commitment to the transatlantic partnership will be of tremendous value to CSIS during his tenure.”

Minister zu Guttenberg served as German Federal Minister of Defense from 2009 to 2011 and as Federal Minister of Economics and Technology from February 2009 to October 2009.  As Minister of Defense, zu Guttenberg led the most significant structural reform to the German Bundeswehr since 1955, particularly leading the effort of transforming the Bundeswehr from a conscription-based army to an all-professional military.  He also served as a member of the German parliament or Bundestag from 2002- 2011 and as a leading member of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee from 2005 to 2008.    

Minister zu Guttenberg will lead a new transatlantic dialogue initiative at CSIS which will bring European and American thought-leaders, practitioners and officials together on a variety of security and economic related issues to develop a bold, new strategic vision to reinvigorate the transatlantic relationship and prevent strategic drift.  By exploring the global shift of power, the increased global economic and market instability and the challenge to multilateral institutions, the focus of the project will examine how the transatlantic relationship can lead in this increasingly complex geopolitical setting.

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The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, non-profit organization that seeks to advance global security and prosperity by providing strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision-makers.