Belgrade, Serbia, May 18-22, 2026 – The 25th Annual Conference of the Euro-Atlantic Conflict Studies Working Group (CSWG) of the PfP Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes was held under the theme “When the Guns Fall Silent… Challenges and Dilemmas in the Aftermath of War and Conflict.” 

The event was hosted in Belgrade by the Institute for Strategic Studies of the University of Defence in Serbia, in cooperation with the Austrian National Defence Academy and brought together more than 40 participants from 19 NATO member and partner states.

The conference explored the complex challenges that emerge after the end of armed conflicts, emphasizing that the end of hostilities rarely marks a clear transition to peace. Instead, post-conflict societies face long-term processes of reconstruction, institutional adaptation, social reintegration, and political transformation.

Presentations and discussions highlighted the importance of linking theoretical approaches to peacebuilding with historical and contemporary case studies. Participants examined how wartime decisions influence post-conflict outcomes, the challenges of rebuilding state institutions, and the difficulties associated with reintegrating former combatants, refugees, and displaced populations.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the role of memory, narratives, and historical interpretation in shaping post-conflict societies. Discussions underscored both the constructive and divisive impact of collective memories and competing narratives on reconciliation, political legitimacy, and long-term stability.

The conference also demonstrated the value of comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives for understanding post-conflict transitions. By bringing together scholars, experts, and practitioners from different fields, the event provided a platform for examining lessons from past conflicts and their relevance for contemporary peacebuilding and security challenges.

The 25th Annual CSWG Conference reaffirmed the value of sustained scholarly exchange within the Euro-Atlantic academic and scientific community. It highlighted the continued relevance of historical insight and comparative analysis for understanding post-conflict transitions and for shaping approaches to peacebuilding, stabilization, and policy-making.