Daniel Warner
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Daniel Warner

Daniel Warner earned his BA in Philosophy and Religion from Amherst College, USA, and a PhD in Political Science from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva (HEID). He has lectured and published extensively on multilateralism, US foreign policy, ethics, refugees, international law, international organization, international relations theory and security. He established the Program for the Study of International Organization(s) (PSIO) at the Graduate Institute which grew into the Centre for International Governance (CIG). For many years, he also served as the Deputy to the Director of the Institute. Since his retirement from HEID, he is the Assistant Director for International Affairs at the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

Articles de Daniel Warner

International 9 février 2016

Thoughts on Donald Trump by a Fellow New Yorker

Several years ago I attended a cocktail party on Park Avenue in New York. I was approached by a man puffing on a large cigar. He had an open shirt (highlighting his expensive gold necklace), and wore all the accoutrements that go with a certain type of wealthy New Yorker. His immediate question to me […]

International 26 août 2015

Trying to Understand Collective Heroism and Responsibility

“Let’s go, go!” Alek Skarlatos shouted to his two American friends vacationing in Europe as they went after the heavily-armed gunman on a high-speed train between Amsterdam and Paris. The three Americans are being hailed as heroes, receiving congratulations from the presidents of France and the United States, among many others, for subduing the gunman...

Politique 31 juillet 2015

Do you believe in justice ?

The trial of the former president of Chad (1982 to 1990) brings to court someone pursued by the international justice system for years. His crimes have been well documented, yet he has been able to avoid prosecution while traveling abroad to various countries or while living comfortably in Senegal...

Politique 5 avril 2015

The Sounds of Silence

The words of Paul Simon’s 1964 song have always intrigued me. How can silence have sounds? How does one warmly welcome what one cannot see as he begins “Hello darkness my old friend”? I understood what he meant by “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls/ And tenement halls;” I quoted that as...

International 21 mars 2015

Give War a Chance

During the demonstrations against the Vietnam War in the 1970’s, a favorite rallying moment for the marchers was to sing the Beatles’ John Lennon’s ballad, “Give Peace a Chance”. The song summarized protest against the war and the ethos of the times. Peace and love were in the air...

International 26 février 2015

The Real Power of Mother Nature

Numerous lists try to establish who has power. Is Angela Merkel the most powerful person in the world? Is Barack Obama? What about multinational corporations? Apple? Microsoft? Terrorists like Al Qaida? The Islamic State? Emerging powers like China or India? On a recent trip to the United States to attend an academic conference in New Orleans...

International 3 février 2015

Switzerland as a Symbol of Peace and Switzerland 2.0

The recent negotiations in Geneva and Zurich on Iran’s nuclear program have focused attention on the role of Switzerland as a site for diplomacy. Going back to the famous Alabama Claims following the American Civil War (1861-1865), Switzerland, especially Geneva, has hosted numerous arbitrations and negotiations – some public, many off the record...

Société 28 décembre 2014

Private-Public Partnerships and Universities

The recent nomination of Patrick Aebischer, President of the Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne (EPFL), to be president of the Novartis Venture Fund (NVF) has caused quite a stir. Critics are claiming he has a flagrant conflict of interest. Beyond that criticism is the deeper question of the private-public relationship between universities and academia. Michael Sandel, eminent political philosopher at Harvard University, recently spoke at the University of Geneva. His thesis...

Politique 28 octobre 2014

Federer’s Victory and the Era of Identity Politics

When I visit Kiev, I often ask my hosts: “What is Ukraine? What does it mean to be Ukrainian?” Watching Roger Federer play in Bâle this weekend, it was not difficult to understand what it meant to be Swiss; there were flags waving all over St. Jacques Arena as well as cow bells ringing. People had the Swiss cross painted on their cheeks. To be Swiss was to be behind Federer: to be behind Federer was to be Swiss. There was no doubt that Roger personified Swiss identity to the roaring crowd...

International 9 septembre 2014

Iraq, Libya and Syria: Are they better off today than they were before?

At the end of the Cold War and the Arab Spring, the West enjoyed tremendous satisfaction that liberalism was on the rise. More than just the superficial end of history, there was a deeper sense that there was progress in the organization of human society. Various manifestations appeared of a universal acceptance of human rights and humanitarian law. The establishment of the United Nations Human Rights Council was a fitting example...

Politique 13 août 2014

The End of Humanitarianism?

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013. Started in a small apartment in the Old Town of Geneva, the ICRC crystallized and codified the first international norms dealing with the laws of war. After watching on the news the bombings of hospitals and schools in Gaza with innocent women and children among the victims as well as the difficulty for outside forensic experts and family members of passengers to inspect the site of downed MH17 in eastern Ukraine, I ask: Is humanitarianism still pertinent today?

International 18 juillet 2014

Reconciling Peace and War: In But Out

The sun shines in Geneva during glorious summer days. Swimming pools are crowded with excited children; some have left for their chalets in the mountains, others have left or are planning to leave on vacation to the beaches of southern Europe or Asia. “Summertime and the livin’ is easy”...

International 30 juin 2014

Is Iraq Déjà Vu All Over Again?

The recent announcement that the United States was sending some 300 advisors to Iraq should have sent shivers up the spines of many Americans with historical memory. It did at least for me, someone who vividly remembers that the original engagement of the U.S. in the Vietnam War began with a similar seemingly simple gesture by President Kennedy. While this time the advisors will be arriving at what was announced as the winding down of involvement, the parallels are no less striking...