Christian Alwardt

Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Christian Alwardt is a prominent scholar in the field of international security and arms control, with a specific focus on the governance of emerging military technologies, particularly lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS). His work critically examines the political and ethical dimensions of weaponizing artificial intelligence, challenging the pace and direction of international regulatory efforts. Alwardt’s most-cited paper, “A necessary step back?” (2021), offers a sobering reflection on the early promise of the LAWS debate, arguing that initial momentum toward a ban has stalled due to geopolitical complexities and definitional ambiguities. This contribution has garnered 6 citations, serving as a key reference for researchers analyzing the diplomatic gridlock surrounding autonomous weapons. Beyond this, Alwardt has actively engaged in policy-oriented scholarship, bridging academic analysis with practical disarmament advocacy. His research is essential for students and scholars seeking to understand why international arms control has struggled to keep pace with technological change, and his work remains a touchstone for debates on the future of warfare and humanitarian law.