International Institute for Peace

The International Institute for Peace (IIP) is an international and non-governmental organisation (NGO and INGO), with consultative status at ECOSOC and UNESCO. The IIP pursues the objective of contributing to the maintenance and strengthening of peace through its research activities and as a platform to promote non-violent conflict resolution in different areas of the world and to a wide range of people.

**EPISODE #33: Israel/Iran – Wie der Nahostkonflikt die internationale Politik herausfordert. Heinz Gärtner & Adham Hamed**

In dieser Folge des Podcasts Peace Matters werden die aktuellen Entwicklungen angesichts des 12-Tage dauernden Krieges zwischen Israel und dem Iran im Juni 2025 beleuchtet. Wie lassen sich die komplexen Dynamiken im Nahen Osten und deren globale Auswirkungen – von regionalen Machtverschiebungen zwischen Iran, Israel und den USA bis hin zu Fragen des Völkerrechts, der Menschenrechte und des Multilateralismus einordnen? Was sind aktuelle Entwicklungen, historische Zusammenhänge und wie waren die internationalen Reaktionen?
***Mit Heinz Gärtner, Adham Hamed & Stephanie Fenkart***

**EPISODE #32: Schutzschirm und Schattenseiten – Europas nukleares Dilemma. Alexander Kmentt & Gustav Gressel**

Schutzschirm und Schattenseiten – Europas nukleares Dilemma beleuchtet die Rückkehr der Atomwaffen in die sicherheitspolitische Debatte Europas. Angesichts der katastrophalen humanitären Folgen eines Atomwaffeneinsatzes, wachsender Proliferationsgefahren, russischer Drohungen und eines möglichen Rückzugs der USA steht Europa vor einer politischen und moralischen Zerreißprobe: Braucht Europa mehr nukleare Eigenverantwortung – oder weniger Atomwaffen weltweit?
***Mit Alexander Kmentt, Gustav Gressel & Stephanie Fenkart***

**Trump's Second**
**Term: Five Months**
**Since His Return**

The IIP Advisory Board has assessed Donald Trump's second term and its far-reaching global implications. Their analysis delves into the geopolitical consequences, particularly for U.S.–Russia relations, transatlantic dynamics, and the future of international norms and alliances, underscoring the need for strategic foresight in these uncertain times.
**ASSESMENTS FROM THE IIP ADVISORY BOARD**

**Towards a New Role for the European Union in the South Caucasus?**

The European Union is often said to lack a common long-term strategy for the South Caucasus, instead following an ad-hoc, reactive approach. While Türkiye, Russia, and Iran dominate the region, the EU has limited options aligned with its interests. Much depends on the war in Ukraine, yet the EU should already pursue a realistic approach toward the South Caucasus states. Avoiding black-and-white thinking about these countries and understanding what the EU can realistically deliver is essential.
By focusing on mutually beneficial opportunities—such as diversifying foreign policies, investing in infrastructure, or aiding conflict resolution—the EU can make a meaningful contribution that aligns with its interests.
**Stephanie Fenkart (IIP)** for *Connections: The Quarterly Journal*

**Options for EU engagement in the South Caucasus: a reality check**

This paper explores potential avenues for EU engagement in the South Caucasus, particularly in light of the shifting geopolitical landscape. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now over two years ago, has further complicated the EU's efforts to create a "ring of friends" in its neighbourhood, including in the South Caucasus. Despite the region’s geopolitical turbulence, the EU still has opportunities to foster positive change by promoting intra-regional cooperation and peace.

The paper identifies three key priority areas for EU action: supporting conflict resolution, enhancing connectivity, and advancing environmental cooperation, with a focus on water management.

**Alexandra Dienes (FES), Marylia Hushcha (IIP), and Sabrina Kaschowitz (FES)**

**VIENNA PEACE & SECURITY TALKS 2024**

The European Union becoming a global player – a geopolitical Europe as some put it – is one of the major challenges of the current changes in the global order. However, there are still many observers doubting, that this unique supranational organisation, comprising of the Commission as well as 27 member states with their individual foreign and security policy, can come to a coherent and implementable policy in matters of foreign affairs.
If we want to understand capabilities of the EU to shape matters on a global scale, it is worth looking at the immediate neighbourhood of the Union, where challenges are abounding and need conflict management. Therefore, this conference will put the neighbourhood test at the “Weltpolitikfähigkeit” of the EU, focussing on crisis hot-spots in close proximity like the two new candidate countries Ukraine and Moldova, the Middle East, as well as the conflict in the South Caucasus
**Vienna Peace and Security Talks 2024**

Peace Matters #28: Voices of Dissent: Unpacking the Protests Shaping Serbia's Future.

Ivan Vejvoda & Lura Pollozhani

In this episode, we delve into the powerful movements that are reshaping Serbia's political landscape. "Voices of Dissent" explores the domestic protests that are challenging the status quo, giving a voice to those who are fighting for democratic reforms, environmental justice, and civil rights in the face of a difficult political climate.

Max Haller - Die letzte Invasion: Der Ukrainekrieg im Lichte von Kants Friedenstheorie

Am IIP fand am 17. Februar 2025 der Autor des Buches Die letzte Invasion: Der Ukrainekrieg im Lichte von Kants Friedenstheorie, Max Haller, analysierte den Konflikt aus der Perspektive von Kants Friedenstheorie und zeigte anhand historisch-soziologischer Vergleiche, Umfragen und Medienberichte, wie wirtschaftliche, politische und militärische Interessen Kriege antreiben.

ES GIBT ALTERNATIVEN ZUM CHAOS IM NAHEN OSTE

Hannes Swoboda

Es gibt wohl kaum eine Region, die so stark von Konflikten und kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen gekennzeichnet ist, wie der Nahe Osten. Nicht nur stehen einzelne Länder im Streit miteinander, sondern auch Religionen bzw. unterschiedliche Richtungen ein und derselben Religion und unterschiedliche ethnische Gruppen bekämpfen sich. Aber auch nicht-staatliche Gruppen sind Teil dieser Konflikte und werden von Regierungen einzelner Länder instrumentalisiert, um Einfluss und Macht in anderen Ländern zu gewinnen.

PEACE BLOG: Trump in der Tradition amerikanischer Machtpolitik

Heinz Gärtner

Im Gastblogbeitrag schreibt Politikwissenschafter Heinz Gärtner, dass Präsident Trump trotz seiner populistischen Rhetorik und seines abweichenden Stils viele Elemente der traditionellen amerikanischen Außenpolitik übernimmt, insbesondere den Nationalismus, den Isolationismus und den Interventionismus, die auch von früheren Präsidenten geprägt wurden.

PEACE & SECURITY TALKS 2024: Europe: The ever-sleeping beauty of world politics?

The European Union claims to protect its citizens, values and interests and act as a contributor to international peace and security. At the same time, its immediate neighbourhood is becoming ever more conflict-prone and dangerous, thus presenting a huge challenge for the EU. The future of the European security order is at stake, the economic model of Europe is being put into question by geopolitics, migration affects the political and societal cohesion throughout the EU.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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