The geopolitical fragmentation of the international landscape has intensified – with current conflict dynamics from Ukraine to the Horn of Africa as well as the South China Sea and their interlinkages with global crises. Recent developments in Sahel have further shown that the environment for global cooperation efforts has changed significantly.

In response to global developments in the last decade, the EU has made it an objective to become a “security provider” – also in regions which are increasingly characterised by power politics. Conflict dynamics in the European neighbourhood inter alia give cause for concern that “military logic” is taking up more space in politics and alliances. However, to implement integrated approaches to security and peace all aspects of human security must be considered, structural violence must be overcome, and local and regional security needs and peace strategies must guide international policy and practice.

In this context, the question of limits and possibilities of international peacebuilding and conflict resolution arises. What is the role for Europe? How can it be a reliable and credible partner, especially in a context of a new geopolitical order and democratic backsliding? In Germany and Europe, a debate on cooperation across political fault lines and conflicting goals in peace and security cooperation has started, but the links are few. Hence, the question which will be addressed in this module is:

How can Germany foster alliances in and beyond Europe to keep peacebuilding on the agenda and strengthen the EU not only as a security provider but also as a peace actor?