Peace & Security
We seek to understand atrocities and the politics of the use of force at all levels, from the local to the global. We investigate how to better anticipate, prevent and stop organized violence, and how outsiders might help rebuild order and peace. We work closely with practitioners in governments and international and civil society organizations, in Germany and beyond. We promote important debates and facilitate learning to improve policymaking and, ultimately, help save lives.
Ghosts of the Past: Lessons from Local Force Mobilization in Afghanistan and Prospects for the Future
Since 2001, the Afghan state and its international partners have mobilized a range of local forces to fill security gaps and confront insurgent threats. What has been the record of these efforts? And how may they impact future dynamics in Afghanistan?
New Expectations: Generation Z and Changing Attitudes on German Foreign Policy
New data shows: fewer German voters favor restraint in foreign policy than ever before. In particular, younger Germans expect their country to take on “more international responsibility.” What does this mean for German foreign policy?
Scenarios for Governance Breakdown and Violent Conflict in the EU’s Neighborhood
What will the EU’s neighborhood look like in 2024? Based on thought experiments about plausible future developments, these scenarios map out areas of potential governance breakdown and violent conflict and grapple with the threat they could pose.
A Fresh Look at Crisis Prevention? Reviewing Three Years of “PeaceLab”
How can Germany improve its policies on conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding? A look into the debate on peace and security in Germany during the PeaceLab2016 process.
Understanding the Syrian Chemical Weapons Complex
Based on the most comprehensive dataset of chemical attacks in Syria compiled to date, we have developed an interactive map and analysis that show the scale and pervasiveness of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict. The site allows users to explore more than 340 confirmed incidents, details our methodology, and offers access to the full dataset for further research and reporting.
Learn more about the project and visit the website.
What’s Left of the Failed States Debate?
The number of countries in which state structures have collapsed seems to be growing. But is it really? Are these so-called failed states a threat to global security? And is there an antidote? Five hypotheses, put to the test.
The Faint Red Line: How the West Should Respond to the Syria Chemical Weapons Report
Europe and the United States can no longer dismiss the strategic relevance of the Syrian military’s chemical weapons campaign, which has continued throughout the conflict. It demands further military, diplomatic and judicial action.
The German Foreign Office at 150: Time to Shake Things Up
If Germany wants a more strategic foreign policy, the Foreign Office needs to see extensive reforms. While investing in personnel, communications and IT are all key for bringing the ministry into the 21st century, there is also a need for a culture change.
Needed: A French-German Policy Toward Russia
Germany should not stand idly by as France leads a charm offensive vis-à-vis Moscow. To uphold Europe’s best interests, it should push for a tougher French-German policy toward Russia.
A Western Balkans Initiative for Small Arms and Light Weapons Control: How Well Does it Work?
The Roadmap 2024 for the comprehensive control of small arms and light weapons, ammunition and explosives in the Western Balkans was drawn up in 2018 as an agreement between six Western Balkan partners, the European Union member states, and EU institutions. Between mid-2019 and early 2020, GPPi conducted a formative, strategic evaluation of the Roadmap process, commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Experts
Asena Baykal
Sarah Brockmeier
Inji El Bakry
Erica Gaston
Theresa Lütkefend
Alicja Polakiewicz
Tobias Schneider
Thorsten Benner
Sarah Bressan
Julia Friedrich
Melissa Li
Garima Mohan
Philipp Rotmann
Marie Wagner
Funding & Contact
Our current work on global peace and security is generously supported by the European Commission’s Horizon2020 research funding scheme, the Robert Bosch Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and the Jeyroudi Foundation. For previous projects, we received grants and support by the German Foundation for Peace Research, the Fritz Thyssen Foundation, the Volkswagen Foundation in cooperation with Compagnia di San Paolo and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, the UN Secretariat’s Department for Peacekeeping Operations, the Friedrich Ebert and Heinrich Böll Foundations, as well as Humanity United.
For more information, please contact Philipp Rotmann.
PeaceLab: A Fresh Look at Crisis Prevention
On the PeaceLab blog, we discuss what a modern, comprehensive peace and security policy for Germany and Europe should look like.
Assessing Threats in Europe’s Neighborhood
EU-LISTCO investigates the challenges that governance breakdown and violent conflict pose for European foreign policy.
