Name: Wars of Impunity? The New Structures of Transformed Security Dynamics in the Middle East
Start: 2026-04-09T14:15:00+02:00
End: 2026-04-09T16:15:00+02:00
Location: KUA - Københavns Universitet Amager

Wars of Impunity? The New Structures of Transformed Security Dynamics in the Middle East
Date: Thursday, 09 April
Time: 14.15 – 16.15
Room: 21.0.47 at KUA
Israel’s wars on neighboring countries since 7th October 2023 have had devastating effects on populations and livelihoods, especially in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, and most recently in Iran. This seminar explores one overarching power structure that seems pertinent to understanding ongoing transformations across the region: impunity.
To mark the launch of a new special issue of the academic journal Middle East Critique, titled ‘The Impunity Politics of Contested Security in Iraq’, we invite colleagues, students, and engaged members of the public to participate in this event.
We will use the conceptual work featured in the special issue and cases from Iraq as points of departure to ask: how is impunity infused into the changing security dynamics in the region at large? If impunity politics govern local security systems, such as the ones in Iraq, what happens when we extend this analysis to understand state behavior and regional politics? How is Israel acting with impunity, and what are the consequences for the region? How can the politics of impunity cast new light on Trump and Netanyahu’s war on Iran and the wider region as a “war of impunity”?
Program:
14:15-14:30: Welcome and Introduction: Impunity as a concept and structure transforming the Middle East
Thomas Vladimir Brønd, Royal Danish Defence College
14:30-15:00: Impunity politics in Iraq
Fanar Haddad, University of Copenhagen
Maria Clausen, Danish Institute for International Studies
Henrik Andersen, International Media Support
15:00-15:30: Impunity beyond Iraq – how can impunity politics shed new light on changing dynamics in the region?
Toby Dodge, London School of Economics and Political Science
15:30-15:45: The ramifications of Trump and Netanyahu’s war of impunity on Iran and the wider region
Sune Haugbølle, Roskilde University
15:45-16:15: Q&A
We look forward to seeing you at the event!