Accompanied by Maj.Gen. (res) Dr. Juan Moliner Gonzalez, Executive Directors Daniel Beaudoin and Ted van Baarda met with Brig.Gen. Carlos Frias, Commandant of the of the Army War and Leadership School in Madrid. General Frias showed us the excellent facilities of the Army School in the centre of Madrid, at a walking distance of the Plaza de Espagna. Our meeting took place in anticipation of EuroISME’s next annual conference in the city, which will be on 21-23 May 2025. The topic of the conference will be ‘Just war theory – relevant or relic?’
While Just War Doctrine continues to serve as an ethical framework, the nature of conflicts is evolving. Wars like the ‘narco war’ in Mexico or the rebellious situation in Yemen often fall outside the classical definitions of warfare, while more regular types of warfare, like the Russo-Ukrainian war take on a new dimension given the emphasis on drones. New forms of conflict, such as cyberattacks, hybrid warfare, and the use of autonomous weapons systems, challenge the traditional categories of Just War Doctrine. This raises the question of how these emerging conflicts fit into the framework of Just War and whether new ethical models are required to address the changing face of warfare. A central aim of this conference is not only to engage in theoretical discussions but also to generate practical outcomes that can be integrated into the training and operational routines of soldiers. We aim to develop concrete guidelines and concepts that will help soldiers make ethical decisions in complex and dynamic environments. This includes exploring how ethical dilemmas can be resolved in real-time and how ethical principles can be operationalized during military operations.
We were informed that the city of Madrid is a popular venue during the month of May. Thus, prospective participants are encouraged to make their hotel reservations at an early stage. The advance announcement of the conference, including a call for submissions is on EuroISME’s website.