When The FBI Gets It Wrong: Urgent Need for Maritime Governance
A recent arrest by the FBI, published on 3 April 2025, has highlighted the urgent need for maritime governance. The incident involved an alleged assault aboard a non-state vessel, over 70 nautical miles from the nearest coastline — well outside any national jurisdiction. Despite this, U.S. authorities charged the individual under domestic law: “Assault within […]NATO’s Gender Wording: Opportunity or Backstep?
NATO is reportedly considering changes to its terminology around the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. This development, emerging amid broader political shifts, raises a critical question: is this an opportunity or backstep for the alliance?
The existing WPS framework, anchored in UN Security Council Resolution 1325, recognises the distinct impacts of conflict on women and the vital role they play in peace processes. For many, this agenda is not about empowerment in the social sense—it is about ensuring operational effectiveness, community resilience, and the safety and inclusion of women in conflict-affected environments.
Critics argue that revising this language, especially under perceived pressure from the current US administration’s stance on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), risks diluting decades of work. A change in terminology could be interpreted as a softening of NATO’s commitment to gender-responsive security policy.
However, proponents suggest that a clearer framing may be beneficial. In some contexts, the WPS agenda has been misunderstood—its goals narrowed to promoting empowerment or equal opportunities. This perception has, at times, clouded its core mission: to support military and peacekeeping operations through inclusive, informed decision-making. A terminology update could correct these misconceptions and reframe gender expertise as a strategic asset, not a political add-on.
In its most recent statement, NATO affirms its ongoing commitment: “Gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda are integral to NATO’s values and to sustainable peace” (NATO WPS Policy).
Whether this move proves to be an opportunity or backstep will depend on implementation. If it leads to a more focused and respected integration of gender perspectives, it may reinforce NATO’s mission. If not, it risks diminishing a critical pillar of modern security strategy.
