Janusz Reiter is founder and chairman of the independent Center for International Relations in Warsaw. He studied German language and literature at the University of Warsaw and began his career in journalism. He worked for several months in the editorial department of the ZEIT in Hamburg and wrote for various Polish and German newspapers. After the introduction of martial law in Poland in December 1981 he was active in the democratic opposition movement. 1990 he became the ambassador of Poland to Germany. Later he worked as ambassador to the United States and as Special Envoy for Climate Change. Reiter also assumed leading positions in private business. 

His research focuses on international politics, particularly the transatlantic relationship, Europe, and the German-Polish relations. Another area of interest is climate and energy policy.

In his HIAS project, Janusz Reiter investigates Germany’s and Poland’s reactions to contemporary changes in the global balance of power. 35 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain we witness massive shifts in the global political system. These shifts influence and worry Europe. European integration has been based on a rejection of traditional power politics with its dominant factors history and geography. Due to this, Europe remained a special case. This “exceptionalism” based on a withdrawal from world politics has become dysfunctional. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has shown this to Europe in a drastic way. Moreover, the uncertainty about future U.S. engagement in Europe intensifies this unease. Janusz Reiter examines how two European countries, Germany and Poland, deal with these challenges.

Janusz Reiter’s HIAS fellowship is funded by the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS.

His tandem partner is Markus Kotzur, professor for Public Law, European and International Public Law at Universität Hamburg