Dr. Judith Vorrath
International Security Senior Associate
Areas of Expertise
- Civil wars
- Fragile states
- Organized crime
- United Nations
- United Nations Security Council
UN peace & security; violence against civilians in armed conflict and approaches to reduce it
Short Curriculum Vitae
Since 2012 at SWP
2011-2012 Transatlantic Fellow at the EU Institute for Security Studies, Paris
2010-2011 Transatlantic Fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington D.C.
2005-2010 PhD student, NCCR Democracy (National Center of Competence in Research on Democracy in the 21st Century) & Research Assistant, Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich
2001-2005 Research and Program Coordinator, Development and Peace Foundation (SEF), Bonn
SWP Publications
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What challenges and opportunities does Turkey’s hybrid approach to conflicts and stabilisation pose for the EU and its member states’ policies?
In a context of intensifying geopolitical rivalry, accelerating militarisation, and weakening multilateral conflict-resolution frameworks, middle powers are assuming more visible roles in both war-making and peacebuilding. Turkey stands out in this regard, adopting an increasingly hybrid approach that strategically combines mediation, militarisation, and economic instruments. Over the past few years, Ankara has expanded its military footprint in Somalia, recalibrated its engagement in Libya, deepened defence-industrial partnerships across Africa and the Gulf, supplied armed drones to Ukraine, and positioned itself as a diplomatic broker in conflicts from the Black Sea to the Middle East and Africa. In conflict-affected states, Turkey also pursues economic interests. Turkish companies’ involvement in Libya's and Syria’s reconstruction contracts, port and energy deals with Somalia, and connectivity projects such as Iraq's Development Road are some examples. By simultaneously engaging in security, pursuing economic footholds, and offering diplomatic mediation, Ankara has inserted itself into crises as a multifaceted stakeholder. What challenges and opportunities does Turkey’s hybrid approach to conflicts and stabilisation pose for the EU and its member states’ policies?
CATS Network Perspectives, 22.05.2026 -
Multilateralism and International Law: UN Policy With, Without, Against the US
in: With, Without, Against Washington: Redefining Europe’s Relations With the United StatesContribution to a Research Paper 2026/RP 05, 27.03.2026, 81 Pages, pp. 49–53
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The UN mission in Cyprus is indispensable for Europe
The crisis of UN peacekeeping not only concerns distant conflict zones. The case of Cyprus shows how important such missions are for Europe, say Judith Vorrath and Johanna Fietze.
Point of View, 19.12.2025 -
New Wars 2.0
Massive Violence against Civilians in Ongoing Armed Conflicts Demands a Political Rethink
SWP Comment 2025/C 40, 19.09.2025, 8 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2025C40
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UN Arms Embargoes under Scrutiny
Obstacles and Options for an Effective Contribution to Conflict Resolution
SWP Research Paper 2024/RP 12, 03.09.2024, 42 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2024RP12
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Foresight*: A Breath of Fresh Air on the East River
The Expansion of the UN Security Council Triggers Unexpected Reforms
SWP Comment 2024/C 26, 02.07.2024, 7 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2024C26
External publications
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Arms embargo
in: Elgar Encyclopedia of International Sanctions, 13.11.2025, 65 - 67 -
The United Nations Under Pressure: “Trust Is Low and Needs Are High”
in: "The United Nations at Eighty: Reform for a Shared Future in a New Geopolitical Era", Council of Councils, Global Memo by AIA, CARI, CEPS, Chatham House, COMEXI, Genron NPO, GRF, INSS, Lowy Institute, NIAA, ORF, PISM, RSIS, SIIS and SWP, 03.09.2025 -
Making a Difference in Protection: Options and Trade-offs along Core Principles
in: Joachim A. Koops and Martina Dal Dosso (eds.) (2025) The Future of United Nations PeaceOperations: Compendium of Short Issue Papers and Policy Recommendations for the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025 in Berlin, Brussels/Berlin: Global Alliance for Peace Operations. Page 11 -
Confronting Illicit Economies and Criminal Threats in UN Missions
Operating in the “Grey Zone”
in: Berdal, M., & Sherman, J. (eds.), The Political Economy of Civil War and UN Peace Operations Routledge, 1st ed., 2023doi:10.4324/9781003248637
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Peculiarity and persistence of a transregional flow: the evolution of human trafficking for sexual exploitation from Nigeria to Europe
In: Daniel Brombacher, Günther Maihold, Melanie Müller, Judith Vorrath (eds.): Geopolitics of the Illicit. Linking the Global South and Europe, Nomos, E-Book, 2022, pp. 133-162 -
Geopolitics of the Illicit
Linking the Global South and Europe
Nomos, 2022, 411 Seiten, E-Book