Multilateral and bilateral initiatives, such as the European Peace Facility or the German Enable and Enhance Initiative (‘Ertüchtigungsinitiative’), are on the rise. Whereas during the Cold War support initiatives for partner armies in the Global South were regularly provided within a logic of alliance and regime protection, nowadays, these programs come in the guise of “stabilization”, “counter-terrorism” and “human security” promotion. Especially Western governments tend to frame their engagement as contributing to the overall peace and development goals and hint at the inextricable nexus of development, security and peace.

What sounds plausible in theory, however, is often not matched by results. A wide body of research shows that the train and equip programs do little to deal with the real problems affecting stability in the countries. The event will try to propose policy recommendations for an effective, accountable and conflict-sensitive security engagement in fragile contexts.