6th International Congress against Military Bases and War
The International Network Against Global Military Bases, founded in 2018, organized the 6th International Congress Against Military Bases and War with the support of the European Left.
Without worldwide military bases, wars would not be possible. That is why the closure of these bases and their transformation is a fundamental goal of the international peace movement. The U.S. operates more than 800 such bases worldwide, which are legitimized by treaties with the stationing states. Such treaties can be successfully terminated, as examples from Latin America and Central Asia show.
This year, the focus was on the role of military bases in the Ukraine conflict. There were two panel discussions. The first focused on Germany’s role as a platform for the Ukraine war. The second panel took a global look at the war and also addressed the views of the global South and Asia. Another focus was on the legal assessment of the Ukraine war. How should the war in Ukraine be scrutinized under international law? How to assess arms supplies, sanctions and support in general for the parties to the conflict under the law of neutrality? What actions make a state a party to the conflict?
The congress was held 23. June 2023 in Kaiserslautern.
Panel 1: Germany as a platform for the Ukraine war
The Air Base Ramstein has a key role in the Ukraine war. The so-called Contact Group for Military Support to Ukraine meets regularly at Ramstein Air Base. In addition, the airbase is home to the headquarters of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, as well as the NATO Allied Air Command. Just days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a round-the-clock operations center, ECCU (Eucom Control Center Ukraine), was installed at U.S. EUCOM. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers are being trained at several U.S. and German military bases.
with
Reiner Braun, Claudia Haydt and Karl-Heinz Peil
Video of Panel 1 >>>
Presentations from Panel 1 as PDF
Reiner Braun (Germany, IPB)
Karl-Heinz Peil (Germany, Friedens- und Zukunftswerkstatt e.V.)
Panel 2: The political and legal assessment of the Ukraine war?
Representatives of western governments and the media convey an image that the global community is united on the course of the war, arms deliveries and sanctions. We want to take a global look at the war and to address the views of the international community, especially the Global South. In doing so, we will also discuss the question of what role military bases play in global conflicts. In addition, we want to clarify the legal assessments of the Ukraine war. How should the war in Ukraine be scrutinized under international law? How to assess arms supplies, sanctions and support in general for the parties to the conflict under the law of neutrality? What actions make a state a party to the conflict?
with
Antonio Carvallo, Julieta Daza, Kate Hudson, Alain Rouy and Amela Skiljan
