Advancing Transatlantic Linkages on Responsibility to Protect and Mass Atrocity Prevention

Countries that share the view that preventing atrocities is a core national security interest and a moral imperative must assess their individual national efforts and coordinate their activities. The United States and its European allies have long enjoyed an important strategic and historical relationship which is defined by the ability of like-minded, politically influential and capable allies to develop and implement cooperative strategies to achieve security objectives.

By examining existing policies, institutional capacities, bureaucratic blockages, differing understandings, and shared interests related to the Responsibility to Protect and mass atrocity prevention, it is possible to propose additional steps for improved cooperation.

At the 55th annual Strategy for Peace Conference, from October 15–17, 2014, near Washington, DC, the Stanley Center convened a group of 30 US government and international officials, mass atrocity specialists, and civil society representatives to examine the current state of transatlantic cooperation and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration for atrocity prevention. This policy memo offers highlights of the discussion and recommendations of roundtable participants.