Dr. Florian Kühn

Biography

Florian Kühn is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the University of Gothenburg, focusing on Peace and Conflict Research. His academic background involves the study of violence, political organizations, and the structures of states. His research has a regional focus on Afghanistan and the broader West Central Asian region, as well as the Middle East. Kühn's work examines the interaction between local social orders and international interventions, highlighting the complexities and ambiguities in political exchanges. He has contributed to the discourse surrounding liberal peace and the inherent contradictions linked to peacebuilding and statebuilding missions. His interests extend to the political economy of conflicts, specifically the politics of rentier states and the involvement of both state and non-state actors in illicit activities to enhance their political standing. Kühn has investigated violent groups, such as the Taliban and various warlords, in the context of how violence intersects with politics and economics. His scholarly approach integrates ideas from notable philosophers and theorists, aiming to reconstruct knowledge through empirical insights. Additionally, he serves as a co-editor for the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, where he supports junior scholars in publishing their research while reflecting the evolving nature of international interventionism.

Research Interests