Resources

Somalia's war can't be won militarily: time to give peace a chance

For over a decade, the Somali government and its international allies have sought to eliminate al-Shabaab militarily. But they have reached a stalemate in which civilians bear the brunt of the violence and destruction.

Why UN peacekeeping operations must not become counter-terrorism missions

Increased pressure on UN peacekeeping operations to engage in counter-terrorism risk bogging down blue helmets in unwinnable wars and destroying their claim to impartiality in the process. This short-term thinking could change UN peacekeeping as we know it. 

New UK counter-terror strategy lacks a coherent approach to conflict overseas

The UK’s updated counter terrorism strategy (CONTEST) acknowledges the links between terror threats in the UK and conflict overseas. Yet it fails to apply the hard lessons from flawed UK counter-terror and stabilisation efforts overseas in recent years. It is thus a missed opportunity to show how the UK can reduce the terror threat at home by coherently promoting peace abroad, argues Bénédicte Goderiaux.

The EU’s new financial framework must not fortify Europe at the expense of peace

The European Commission (EC) released its proposal for the new EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 on 2 May. Given its heavy focus on migration, border management and security, Kloé Tricot O'Farrell and Luca Venchiarutti ask whether the EC's proposal will fortify Europe at the expense of its peace commitments.

Counter-terrorism: who will act on evidence in 2018?

The evidence that mainstream counter-terror strategies need a rethink is crystal clear. Will 2018 be the year decision-makers begin taking it seriously?

We need to talk about Egypt: how brutal counter-terrorism is failing Egypt and its allies

Charting the wrong course: EU efforts to stop migration through the Mediterranean

EU approaches to addressing migration are often short-sighted and counter-productive, argues Kloe Tricot O'Farrell

Libya: a second chance?

Former Saferworld Director Henry Smith shares his thoughts on the lessons to be drawn from international post-conflict support to Libya following the toppling of Colonel Gadhafi. 

The countering violent extremism agenda risks undermining women who need greater support

There is a risk that the women, peace and security agenda could be co-opted by efforts to counter violent extremism. In her latest comment piece, Anna Möller-Loswick explains why it should be prioritised and implemented in its own right.