German question
Meissner was a regular commentator on Soviet affairs for several scientific journals, e.g. "Osteuropa" (Eastern Europe) and "Außenpolitik" (Foreign Affairs). His expertise also covered east–west-Relations and the German question. He was a renowned expert on Soviet institutions as well as the internal affairs of the ruling Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He followed the development of nationalist movements in the Soviet Union and the changes introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev from 1984 onwards. After the collapse of the Soviet Union he focused on the Baltic states.