Centre Co-Director Tobias Debiel has published a penetrating piece for International Politics and Society which deals with the conflict in Ukraine from the perspective of cooperative global efforts toward de-escalation.
The article, available in English and German, details the necessity of diplomatic means in dealing with Russian aggression. Cold War rhetoric is both outdated and inapplicable to the current situation. Debiel calls for critical thinking and outlines what he sees as 'the ethical imperative arising from a logic of peace'.
'Faced with such brutality, what is the right way forward? How to deal with despot who blatantly breaks international law and makes imperialist claims? [...] Three things are necessary: Firstly, a ruthless analysis of the situation, including our own mistakes. Secondly, a clear sign of strength that goes beyond symbolic politics. Thirdly, an emphatic effort to de-escalate in a situation that requires sobriety instead of moral superiority.'
About the Article
Prof Dr Tobias Debiel is Deputy Director of the Institute for Development and Peace (INEF) at the University of Duisburg-Essen as well as Co-Director and policy field convener for the Käte Hamburger Kolleg / Center for Global Cooperation Research.
Debiel, Tobias (2022). 'How to End the Spiral of Escalation', International Politics and Society: Foreign and Security Policy. 01 March 2022. https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/foreign-and-security-policy/how-to-end-the-spiral-of-escalation-5751/.
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