Militarisation and Arms Control

bicc projects in this topic focus on the effects of militarisation and weapons proliferation. bicc’s work aims to reduce their negative impact by strengthening arms control measures at various levels of society.

 

The accessibility and quality of weaponry significantly impact the motivations and prospects for engaging in acts of violence. They affect the probability of engaging in violent conflict and influence the actions of state and non-state entities involved. bicc researches the diverse consequences of armament, militarisation and weapons control at various levels to reduce their potentially detrimental impact on societies.

First, we map the global dynamics of militarisation as reflected in government defence spending, armed forces personnel and heavy weapons systems. In doing so, we advance knowledge of the so-called security–development nexus by researching how militarisation affects development.

Second, we are curious about the local consequences of militarisation and international arms and technology transfers, with a special focus on developing countries and regions of conflict.

We are particularly interested in the effects of arms transfers on regional conflicts and human rights, as well as changes in military-government and military–society ties.

Third, we examine ways to regulate access to small arms and light weapons (SALW). Creating and delivering national and regional training programmes, assisting in harmonising standards for the management of weapons and ammunition, and engaging in other related capacity-building activities in collaboration with national, regional and international partner organisations are all part of our strategy for achieving effective arms control.

We also aim to develop evidence-based approaches to understanding and mitigating the problems posed by the illicit cross-border trafficking of SALW, the challenges of dealing with SALW in transitional settings and the stockpiling of SALW in a civilian context.

 

Our topic experts

Marius Bales

PhD-Researcher

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Christine Beeck

Advisor

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Rodrigo Bolaños Suárez

Data Scientist \ Researcher

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Saskia Boniello

Advisor

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Joseph Farha

Project leader

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Lena Guesnet

Researcher, Project Coordinator

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David Häfner

Advisor

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Elvan Isikozlu

Senior Management \ Head of Advice and Scientific Transfer

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Matthias Krötz

Technical Advisor

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Dr Max Mutschler

Senior Researcher

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Rebecca Navarro

Web Programming & Databases / Researcher

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Dr Lamis Saleh

Senior Researcher

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Ryan Swan

Fellow

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Dr Marc von Boemcken

Senior Management \ Head of Research

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Fiona Wilshusen

Researcher

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Lars Wirkus

Senior Management \ Head of Research Infrastructure and Data

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selected publications

bicc Global Militarization Index

Bayer, M., & Rohleder, P.

Global Militarisation Index 2022

bicc , Bonn (2022)

Open
Other publications

Wilshusen, F.

When the 'War Attitude' persists: How Pro-Government Militias affect Society in the Long Run

BICC , Bonn (2023)

Open
Journal Article

Mutschler, M., & Bales, M.

Liquid or Solid Warfare? Autocratic States, Non-State Armed Groups and the Socio-Spatial Dimension of Warfare in Yemen

(2023)

Open
Other publications

Mutschler, M., & Wisotzki, S.

Why the Future German Arms Export Control Act is Going in the Right Direction—But Not Far Enough.

BICC , Bonn (2022)

Open
Other publications

Häfner, D., & Farha, J.

Safer Stockpiles: Developing Regional PSSM Instructor Cadres

(2023)

Open
Other publications

Acharya, N., & Krötz, M., & Przybilla, H., & Wedeniwski, L.

Small Arms & Light Weapons Guide 2021.

BICC , Bonn (2021)

Open
Journal Article

Isikozlu, E., & Krötz, M., & Trancart, C.

Crossing the fence: Challenges of operationalizing PSSM

(2017)

Open

Militarisation M3

2022-04

running

Supporting small arms and light weapons (SALW) control in Africa

2021-04

running

Capacity development and advice on SALW control in Africa

2018-08

closed

Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Capacity Development and Technical Advice in West Africa

2017-02

closed

Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Capacity Development and Technical Advice in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa

2017-02

closed

G7 Conference SALW in the Sahel

2015-07

closed

Demobilisation and small arms control in West Africa - Sahel region

2015-03

closed

Security, armaments and development in recipient countries of German arms exports

2015-03

running

Expert group arms exports and report of the Gemeinsame Konferenz Kirche und Entwicklung (GKKE)

2014-01

running

Global Militarization Index (GMI)

2013-12

running

Database on Arms Exports

2013-12

running

Smart Technology in SALW Control: Civilian Protection, the UN-POA, and Transfer Control (SmartCon)

2013-01

closed

Analysis on MANPADS

2012-12

closed

Interactive Guide on small arms and light weapons (SALW)

2012-12

closed

SARCOM: Sub-regional small arms control mechanism - Sudan, Chad etc.

2012-11

closed

SALW-Guide: Online database on small arms control

2012-01

closed

Support and consultancy on small arms control in Sudan

2012-01

closed

Studies on arms exports

2012-01

closed

Support and capacity-building in stockpile management of SALW, ammunition and surplus weapons in the Republic of South Sudan

2011-09

closed

Small arms survey in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2010-01

closed

Traditional Conflict Resolution and Small Arms & Light Weapons as a Development Factor

2008-11

closed

Supporting the development and implementation of a civilian SALW training program in West Africa

2008-01

closed

Capacity-building on SALW control and DD&R in Southern Sudan

2008-01

closed

Marking and tracing of small arms and light weapons

2007-01

closed

Perspectives for the German defense industry in the framework of alternative scenarios

2007-01

closed

Security, armaments and development in countries receiving German arms exports

2007-01

closed

Evaluation of the destruction of arms and ammunition in Afghanistan

2007-01

closed

TRESA – Training and Education on Small Arms

2006-01

closed

Training in small arms control in South Sudan

2006-01

closed

Documentation of arms export

2002-01

closed