Bericht

Train + equip = peace? Stabilization requires more than capacity building

Should Germany supply weapons to the Kurdish peshmerga forces battling Islamic State (IS)? This question aroused intense debate last summer, leading once more to the general issue of what role capacity building for third actors can play in crisis management. Germany wants to take on more responsibility in foreign policy but is keen to avoid direct military involvement as far as possible. Providing training and equipment for governments and regional organizations in crisis areas, enabling them to create and maintain peace and security by their own efforts, therefore seems sensible. The German Government has pursued this approach with its capacity building initiative ('Ertüchtigungsinitiative') since 2011, which was relabelled 'Enable and Enhance Initiative' in 2013. However, experience to date clearly reveals its risks and limitations. By providing training and equipment, Germany can make an important contribution to crisis management. But it is not a 'one size fits all' solution; on the contrary, it must be context-specific and geared towards long-term needs. (SWP Comments)

Language
Englisch

Bibliographic citation
Series: SWP Comments ; No. 4/2015

Classification
Politik

Event
Geistige Schöpfung
(who)
Major, Claudia
Mölling, Christian
Vorrath, Judith
Event
Veröffentlichung
(who)
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP)
(where)
Berlin
(when)
2015

Handle
Last update
10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET

Data provider

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Object type

  • Bericht

Associated

  • Major, Claudia
  • Mölling, Christian
  • Vorrath, Judith
  • Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP)

Time of origin

  • 2015

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