The panel (in Swedish), "Behövs nya fredsskapande verktyg?" (English translation: "Are New Peacebuilding Tools Needed?"), took place in Sälen, Sweden on 9 January 2024. It was part of a larger discussion on how to build peace in a conflict-ridden world at Sweden's national conference on society and defence ("Folk och Försvar").
In the panel, Karin discussed diplomatic challenges in an insecure world together with Anna Karin Eneström, Ambassador at Sweden's UN Representation in New York. Contemporary armed conflicts are increasingly internationalised, asymmetrical and framed as zero-sum games about national identity and survival. Globally, there is a strong focus on managing rather than resolving conflicts. Thus, many of the conflicts remain protracted and frozen.
In terms of the Middle East, Karin talked about the diplomatic challenges in the Israel-Hamas war and the possibilities of a ceasefire. The Israel-Palestine conflict provides an example of the strong emphasis on conflict management. She also spoke about the diplomatic failures in mediating long-lasting ceasefires in Syria.
Watch the panel (in Swedish) on YouTube:
