German Peace Institutes Report Rise of 'Warlords' Using Military Force to Advance Interests
Four leading German peace and conflict research institutes released a 2026 Peace Report identifying a pattern of political leaders—including Putin, Trump, and Netanyahu—using military violence as a preferred tool to advance their interests without regard for international law. The report argues these actors undermine the international order and accelerate the collapse of multilateral systems like the UN. The researchers warn that reduced development aid and humanitarian assistance worsen global crises including food insecurity, disease, and armed conflict.
The 2026 Peace Report from four German peace and conflict research institutes identifies what researchers call a resurgence of 'warlordism' in the 21st century, a term historically applied to leaders in 1990s civil wars in Liberia, Afghanistan, and Somalia. The report names Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and several Gulf state leaders (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE) as contemporary examples of actors who treat military violence as a normal instrument of politics to advance geopolitical, strategic, or economic interests while disregarding international law and the sovereignty of other nations. According to the researchers, this pattern accelerates the collapse of the international order and has real-world consequences including food crises, disease spread, and increased criminality in regions like Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. The institutes recommend that Germany and other European governments increase development cooperation and humanitarian aid rather than cut it, arguing that such withdrawal strengthens crisis dynamics and plays into the hands of these actors.
What's missing
The report's specific methodology, data sources, and how researchers operationalized the 'warlord' concept to compare leaders across different political systems and contexts are not detailed in the article. Additionally, the full recommendations and scope of the 2026 Peace Report beyond the excerpts quoted are not provided.
What different sources said
- Deutsche WelleCenter
From Russia to Israel to US, 'warlords' seize power — report
Related
Scotland manager Steve Clarke seeks redemption at Euro 2024 with new tactical approach
Scotland manager Steve Clarke is preparing his team for Euro 2024 with a renewed sense of optimism and a tactical shift to a 4-4-2 formation with two central strikers. Clarke has acknowledged disappointment with Scotland's performances at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 qualifiers, citing poor starts and tactical decisions as key issues. The manager believes this tournament represents an opportunity to break Scotland's group-stage curse and progress to the knockout rounds for the first time in decades.
Indonesia Sentences Four Military Officers to Prison for Acid Attack on Rights Activist
An Indonesian military court sentenced four Strategic Intelligence Agency officers to between 1.5 and 3 years in prison for attacking activist Andrie Yunus with acid in March 2024, leaving him blind in one eye. Yunus, a deputy coordinator at a human rights commission, had been a vocal critic of the military's expanding role in civilian governance under President Prabowo Subianto. The case drew international attention as evidence of repression against activists and democratic backsliding in Indonesia.
Reports of Israeli Espionage Against US Reignite Debate on Intelligence Activities Among Allies
Anonymous sources from the US Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly leaked information indicating the Pentagon has elevated Israel to its highest counterintelligence threat category due to expanded intelligence activities, though the US government and Israel have both denied the reports. Espionage among close allies has a long documented history, including the Jonathan Pollard case in 1987 and revelations from Edward Snowden's 2013 leaks that ranked Israel as the third-most aggressive intelligence service against the US. The reports highlight a persistent tension in US-Israel relations despite their strategic partnership, reflecting a broader pattern of mutual surveillance among allied nations.