Peace Report 2025
The Peace Report is published annually by the German peace research institutes PRIF, BICC, INEF, and IFSH. In 2025, it was presented once again during meetings with government ministries and parliamentary caucuses in Berlin’s political circles.
Statement – Saving Peace
There are calls everywhere for greater security, deterrence, and military buildup. But who will save peace? In their statement, the editors offer nine concrete recommendations on how Germany and Europe can achieve peace and security.
Focus: Warning – Contagious! The Disruption of the Political Order Under U.S. President Trump
A radical restructuring of the state and international relations based on the U.S. model cannot be prevented by outrage alone. In “Focus,” the authors outline the authoritarian threat to Europe and demonstrate how politics and civil society should fight back now.
Armed Conflicts – “Forgotten Conflicts”: The War in Sudan
International attention to the growing number of armed conflicts is unevenly distributed. The chapter “'Forgotten Conflicts': The War in Sudan” focuses on a devastating civil war that underscores the need for new tools and partnerships in peacebuilding and crisis prevention.
Sustainable Peace – Minimum Standards Under International Law as a Principle of Peace Policy
Minimum standards under international law must be upheld—and demanded—internationally. However, how can this imperative be followed in light of the politicization and instrumentalization of international jurisdiction and humanitarian aid? The chapter, "Minimum Standards Under International Law as a Requirement of Peace Policy," examines the demands and pitfalls of a rapidly changing world order.
Armament Dynamics – The Second “Zeitenwende”
A return to the security and defense policies of the era before Russia’s war of aggression and Trump’s reelection is not possible. The authors of the chapter on the “second Zeitenwende” argue that the transition must be carried out in a socially responsible and transparent manner, in coordination with Europe, to avoid playing into the hands of populists and autocrats everywhere.
Institutional Peace-Building – In Motion: How Much Peace Remains in the World Order?
“Polarization” is the buzzword of the moment, and mitigating it is imperative for peace policy. Moving beyond the logic of friend or foe, unilateralism, and grand strategies, the chapter "In Motion: How Much Peace Remains in the World Order?" outlines the alliance and governance policies needed to uphold fundamental international rules.
Societal Peace – For a Shift Away from Refugee Policy as Security Policy
Degrading those seeking protection to the status of security risks is as one-sided as it is socially and politically ineffective. The chapter "Toward a Shift Away from Refugee Policy as Security Policy" outlines a long-term, human rights-based strategy for refugee policy by bringing together national, European, and global perspectives. (eot)