Making Conflict Mediation work in a time of geopolitical crisis

This lecture explores how conflict mediators can remain effective in a geopolitical environment increasingly shaped by polarization and great power rivalry. It examines how competition between major powers can complicate, undermine, or even sabotage peace processes, and considers the strategies mediators can use to navigate these pressures.

Drawing on contemporary case studies, including conflicts such as Ukraine and the Middle East, the lecture reflects on practical lessons for mediation practice in today’s complex international landscape. It also looks ahead to the future of mediation actors and approaches, asking whether existing tools and frameworks remain adequate or need to be fundamentally reimagined for a more fragmented and contested world.