early warning is undeniably a valuable conflict prevention tool. It functions to predict conflict trends, alert communities of risk, inform decision making, provide inputs to response strategy formulation, and initiate responses to violent conflict. However, with the changing nature of warfare and the emergence of new security challenges alongside a relatively underfunded global peace and security architecture, it is important to consider whether existing early warning systems are still relevant, and if so, whether they are equipped to deal with such an evolved security context.
This briefing intends to contribute to this debate by stimulating discussion about the future direction of early warning and response systems.