On December 4th the White House published its 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS). The document is mandated by law for every incoming administration and serves as a compass for US foreign and security policy during its term. The new Trump NSS breaks away from traditional American strategic goals and interests and crystallizes the policies and actions taken by the second Trump administration in…

The number of femicides is rising globally. Yet, perpetrators often face reduced sentences, reflecting a societal normalization of violence against women. In recent weeks, feminist activists have mobilized to draw attention to the crisis as part of the UN-led annual campaign, “Orange the World.” Their activism highlights both the severity of femicides and the role of women and LGBTIQ+ communities…

In line with the vision of an ‘ECOWAS of the People’, this Spotlight argues that ECOWAS must more actively integrate citizens’ perspectives into its peace and security work. Findings from a five-year research project in Burkina Faso and The Gambia show deep distrust and disappointment among elites and everyday citizens over the organization’s handling of political crises. Although some actions…

Thirty-six years after the so-called Peaceful Revolution of 1989, the foundation stone for the Monument to Freedom and Unity was laid in Leipzig—a milestone in German commemorative culture. But as memories of the events fade, the once unifying narrative of the Peaceful Revolution as a success story is slowly beginning to crumble. Using survey data, this article examines knowledge and…

The Dayton Peace Agreement ended the Bosnian War, establishing the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It achieved its immediate aim of ending direct violence, yet ended up creating a state apparatus that obstructs social equality and economic sovereignty. This Spotlight argues that the evaluation of its success must take two problems into account: the cementation of ethnic…

At the closing plenary of COP30 in Belém, United Nations (UN) Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell affirmed that “climate cooperation is alive and kicking, keeping humanity in the fight for a liveable planet”. 195 Parties approved the Belém Packages, intended to strengthen global climate policy. The adopted text set ambitious financial targets and launched two new initiatives: the…

From ancient caravan routes to modern highways, life in Mali has long depended on the free movement of people and goods. Recently, however, attacks on oil trucks by al-Qaeda affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), have brought life in many cities to a standstill. The southern and western regions of the country have not previously experienced militant Islamist activity at the scale…

36 Jahre nach der sogenannten Friedlichen Revolution von 1989 wurde in Leipzig der Grundstein für das Denkmal für Freiheit und Einheit gelegt – ein Meilenstein in der deutschen Erinnerungskultur. Gleichzeitig beginnt die Erzählung von der Friedlichen Revolution als Erfolgsgeschichte langsam zu bröckeln. Anhand von Umfragedaten untersucht dieses Spotlight das Wissen über und die Interpretation der…