Diversity in the Armed Forces

Abstract

For armed forces, the pace of change since the end of the Cold War in 1989 has been extraordinary. Even though a major world war no longer seems to pose a serious threat to international peace and stability, militaries find themselves operating in more diverse envi-ronments than ever before. In the past, military astuteness and a clear picture of the enemy were sufficient. Today members of the military must-in diffuse political constellations- negotiate with belligerents from all sides of a conflict and remain neutral, at the same time remaining able to defend themselves against aggression. They also have to deal with a host of international actors in the theater of operations, including representatives of multilateral organizations, the media, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). And they must do this in a foreign cultural environment, in a country devastated by war, far removed from family and friends. Such conditions demand a high level of intercultural competence.