A New Wave of Militarisation?

After the end of the Cold War and the collapse of military-led regimes, armed forces have largely withdrawn from politics around the world. While military coups and regimes led by military juntas continue to be the exception, armed forces seem to be returning to the political sphere not only as political instruments, but also as political actors in their own right. Rising military expenditures, coup attempts and military saber-rattling in intensifying geopolitical conflicts are indicators of a global trend.

The recent coup in Mali, for instance, demonstrates that militaries in Africa continue to be a driving political force, following their own agenda and incentive structures. In Latin America, democratically elected civilian leaders are militarising public security and drawing the army into politics. In Turkey under the AKP government, domestic and foreign policy have become increasingly militarised, and the ruling party is extending its control over the army. And in Asia, unresolved regional conflicts are leading to military build-ups, and military officers are playing more prominent roles in foreign and security policymaking.

Are we witnessing a new wave of militarisation? This forum will shed light on the extent of this trend, its causes, and its potential consequences in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Panelists: Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau is Director of the GIGA Institute for African Affairs.

Prof. Dr. Nicole Jenne is Associate Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

Dr. Hakkı Taş is Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies.

Dr. Christian Wirth is Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies.

Moderator: Hager Ali is Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies.