Defence and Deterrence in Europe: Beyond Multilateralism as We Know It

Multilateralism has reached its limits as a guiding principle for relations with Russia in security and defence. Germany should open up to multilateral military cooperation formats in addition to NATO to reinforce deterrence and defence on the eastern flank and to strengthen regional security. This requires an increase in defence spending and in military engagement.

S3E6 | The EU’s Policies on Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in Africa

For this episode of PeacebyPeace, Sarah Brockmeier spoke to Professor Gilbert M. Khadiagala of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg about his views on EU policies on conflict prevention, stabilization, and peacebuilding in Africa.

Expectations from Norway for Germany’s Role in the Multilateral “Wende”

For its new White Paper on multilateralism, Germany can learn from Norway’s experiences. The White Paper should reach out to a wide audience, aim for cross-regional partnerships, include an honest picture of limitations, and encourage reforms of existing organisations rather than developing new mechanisms. Cooperation within the EU and promoting liberal values should be at its core.

Universal Multilateralism: How Germany Could Shape the New World Order

With its White Paper on Multilateralism, the German government could usher in a new era of international cooperation. To do so, it should demonstrate change leadership and initiate a global discussion on a new, truly universal multilateralism that helps tackle pressing issues through a whole-of-government approach and is a guarantor of states’ sovereign equality.

Protecting Multilateralism Against Anti-Globalists: The Case of Brazil

Nationalist leaders like Brazil’s Bolsonaro who attack multilateralism for electoral gain at home still largely get away with it as they face little negative repercussions. Europe and Germany should make trade agreements and accession to the OECD conditional on more responsible and multilateral policies and target local elites with diplomatic pressure campaigns.

German Policewomen in Peace Operations: Understanding and Overcoming Barriers

To permanently increase the number of German policewomen in foreign deployments and to prioritize gender issues, German decision-makers should systematically examine and address specific obstacles for policewomen, expand gender aspects in preparatory training courses, and promote greater exchange with and between women returning from missions.

The EU and China Should Strengthen Their Cooperation to Advance Multilateralism

Multilateralism today is endangered by the great power rivalry between the United States and China. To advance multilateralism, the EU and China should expand their cooperation, including on climate change, global health, and reforming existing multilateral institutions. It is important to include middle powers and non-state actors into such reform efforts.

Europe Should Be a Catalyst for Multilateral Order in the Indo-Pacific

Trump’s aversion to multilateralism has opened the space for Europe to take on a pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific: Europe, including Germany, should coordinate the disparate international initiatives and support the development of a single, multilateral framework for the region. This framework could mitigate the great power rivalry and deliver important public goods, including connectivity, maritime security, and trade.

Sometimes Multilateralism Is Not the Solution

A look at the conflicts in the European neighborhood shows: Multilateral responses are often needed – but not always. Multilateralism to the south and east should be promoted only when it contributes to addressing fragility and conflict. It is in the fine grain of whether, how, and what form of multilateralism we should promote that the conversation should unfold.

An Opportunity for Germany to Lead a Global Multilateralism Reset

To pursue their vision of a rules-based international order, Germany and the EU should increase their cooperation with African countries and the AU, as the continent is deeply invested in multilateralism. In doing so, Germany, the EU and African partners should focus on peace and security, democracy, economic development and climate emergencies.

Small Steps Along the Contact Line: Local Approaches to Peace in Donbas

A political settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine in the near-term seems out of reach. Therefore, Germany should support the Ukrainian government with stabilisation measures that do not depend on agreement with Russia – such as enhanced communication with conflict-affected populations – and feed the results of local dialogue initiatives into official negotiations.

More Than Counting Shots: Working Towards a More Effective OSCE in Ukraine

The implementation of the mandate of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine is centred on ceasefire monitoring at the expense of economic, environmental, or human rights concerns. Germany should advocate for a more balanced focus within the mission, suggest longer reporting cycles, and request a comprehensive conflict analysis to refocus efforts.

The German Conversation on Multilateralism: An Inside-Outside Perspective

German discussions about multilateralism have mostly ignored the issue of weaponised interdependence and focussed on minor-level reforms. Yet ignoring such a fundamental issue, while papering over the cracks, risks damaging the system even further. Germany and Europe should at least consider pursuing a limited membership multilateralism based on shared values (such as democracy, liberalism and pluralism) and closely integrated production chains involving like-minded allies and partners.

Use Connectivity to Strengthen Multilateral Cooperation in the EU’s Neighbourhood

To strengthen multilateralism in their own neighbourhood, Germany and the EU should pursue connectivity strategies with their Eastern and Southern neighbours. These could create the links between the EU’s neighbours that previous partnership agreements have failed to establish. They should include political and security dimensions for states to feel connected to the EU in a political sense.

Putting Democratic Values at the Centre of International Assistance to Ukraine

Security sector reform in Ukraine has made significant progress in areas like the defence sector, while others remain a challenge. Germany should apply the standards of its interministerial strategy by focussing not only on financial and material assistance but also on the transfer of democratic values, human rights, and rule of law principles into Ukraine’s security sector.

Better Than You Think: UN Involvement in Local Peace Processes

In recent years, UN peacekeeping missions have increasingly engaged in mediating local conflicts – with demonstrated successes. UN member states such as Germany should strengthen such efforts by investing in the logistical capacities of UN missions and by using bilateral diplomatic channels in mission countries in support of the UN’s engagement with national-level stakeholders.

PeaceLab Podcast: Transitions from Peacekeeping to Peacebuilding

#RealityCheck 7: Tackling Violent Extremism In- and Outside Lebanese Prisons

In this #RealityCheck, Chantal Azzam at Search for Common Ground gives an insight into her work tackling violent extremism in Lebanese prisons. COVID-19 has fuelled existing challenges both inside the prison system and outside: with a large numbers of recently released detainees, external support should focus on post-custodial reintegration and rehabilitation.

On the Frontline: The Under-Told Story of Women in Extremist Movements

Governments should recognise and confront women’s growing engagement with extremist movements: to avoid reinforcing stereotypes, they must acknowledge the agency of women who choose to join such groups and differentiate between the various roles they play. Only then can drivers of radicalisation be addressed and recruitment efforts undermined

How Germany Can Contribute to a Better Representation of Women in Civilian CSDP Missions

When EU member states established the civilian CSDP Compact in November 2018, they committed to promoting a better representation of women in civilian CSDP missions. The percentage of women in these missions has since decreased. Germany should use its Presidency of the Council of the EU to generate political support among member states for the effective implementation of this commitment, including by means of setting targets for women’s representation and developing gender parity strategies at the EU and national levels.

Girls, Peace and Security – The Key for Sustainable Change

The next German National Action Plan on the Women, Peace and Security agenda should put a strong emphasis on the needs and rights of girls and young women. The German government could invest more in their education, scale up investments in their meaningful inclusion in peacebuilding, and promote a systematic integration of a gender and child rights perspective into programming.