Resources

A fourth pillar for the United Nations? The rise of counter-terrorism

The new EU budget poses an opportunity to mitigate the destabilising impacts of COVID-19

COVID-19 will have devastating impacts in fragile states. Negotiations for the EU's revised long-term budget present an opportunity to invest in a prevention response to the instability caused by the pandemic, argue Lucia Montanaro and Tuuli Räty.

“When you build a house you don’t start at the top”

In the third of our series on Somalia, Somalis share their perspectives on how a Somali-led approach to reconciliation could open up a whole host of opportunities for peacebuilding, justice provision and institution building that prioritise keeping people safe, rather than merely defeating Al Shabaab.

Summary: When the elephants fight, the grass gets trampled

Building on past Saferworld research, this series of three illustrated long-reads shares the perspectives of Somalis that have lived through three decades of conflict. They chronicle their own experiences and their perspectives of international interventions in the country.

Thinking beyond ‘countering violent extremism’ in Somalia: local views on an international ‘project’

In the second of our series on Somalia, we hear the concerns of Somalis on the 'countering or preventing violent extremism' agenda and ask whether it is time to think beyond this international 'project'. 

EU's new €10bn 'peace facility' risks fuelling conflict

As European ambassadors discuss plans to set up a European Peace Facility (EPF) to provide up to €10.5bn for EU military operations and security assistance, Lucia Montanaro and Tuuli Räty outline what this could mean for peace.

When the elephants fight, the grass gets trampled

Building on past Saferworld research, this series of illustrated long-reads shares the perspectives of Somalis that have lived through three decades of conflict. They chronicle their own experiences and their perspectives of international interventions in the country.

A war of words: why counter-messaging to prevent ‘violent extremism’ is counter-productive

Many governments have stepped up efforts to counter what they see as ‘violent extremism’ in their countries. Kloé Tricot O’Farrell argues that these ‘counter-messaging’ campaigns can fuel isolation and discontent.

In legislation to reduce global violence, can US move beyond a focus on “extremism”?

Since the 9/11 attacks, the US government’s embrace of heavy-handed counterterror responses has failed to make the world more peaceful or secure. The Global Fragility Act is a chance to learn from the past and focus efforts on the causes of violent conflict, says Jason Calder.