Welcome Dr. Reinhard Krumm!

Your professional journey has taken you to many different places and given you valuable insights for the work we do at the FES Washington. Tell us more about that!

An overarching theme in my professional life has always been exploring different countries and then applying my experiences to policies and politics. I have spent most of my career in Eastern and Central Eastern Europe, concentrating on understanding the needs and visions of the people who rejoined Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union. Their road up to today has not been an easy one, although countries like Poland and the Baltic states have done very well. My posts in Central Asia, Russia and the Baltic states, as well as in Berlin and in Vienna, in close cooperation with the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), taught me to be humble and to be careful in judging others too quickly. Always look at the other side and try to understand their perspective, even when their actions seem inexplicable. Always leave room for reconciliation.

Why are transatlantic relations important, and what role does the FES USA & Canada play in this?

The Russian war against Ukraine triggered, among many things, a Zeitenwende in Germany. And this Zeitenwende will be one of the most important changes in Germany’s foreign policy for many years. It will be part of the portfolio of the FES in Washington because it is fundamental for Germany itself but also for its partners and a future transatlantic security architecture. But there will be other topics through which we will define our relations. Both sides need each other, but to what extent and on what issues? A political foundation like the FES has to find answers. It is important to include Canada, a crucial transatlantic partner. We will continue to make sure that Canada will be represented in our conversations, also on transatlantic security.  

Do you have any favorite spots in DC?

I like the neighborhood we live in – Capitol Hill. It reminds me of Europe, where you have different houses with their own character, with a variety of gardens, lots of greenery and neighbors who care about each other, who chat with us on the street, who share information and who water the lawn when you are out of town. That and the gorgeous weather with all the sunshine and blue sky, as well as a wide horizon, makes Washington DC a very enjoyable place to live and work. This pleasant atmosphere makes it a bit easier to focus on our own small efforts to help the world deal with the challenges of today. That said, I have to admit I also enjoy the proximity to New York City, one of my favorite cities in the world.

Why is New York special to you?

I spent two years there as a photojournalist in the late 1980s and worked at the photo desk of Newsweek. That led to a job as a journalist covering the transformations in the republics of the former Soviet Union, where I watched as the Soviet flag was lowered over the Kremlin. So you could say that the years I spent in New York were the beginning of my career engaging with politics in that part of the world. Now I have come full circle, bringing my wealth of experiences back to the US to help strengthen transatlantic relations