Carlos Batallas

I am an Adjunct Professor at IE University’s School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, where I teach International Humanitarian Law, Negotiation, and Peace and Conflict Resolution. I am also a PhD researcher in International Relations at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. My research examines variation in the behaviour of non-state armed groups during armed conflict, with particular attention to conduct that aligns with international humanitarian law. More broadly, I am interested in armed conflict, international humanitarian law, humanitarian action, and the practical challenges of protecting civilians in contemporary warfare.

My work sits at the intersection of International Relations, conflict studies, and humanitarian law. Using comparative case studies and process tracing, I examine how organisational structures, political objectives, and strategic incentives shape the behaviour of armed groups. My current project focuses on the FARC-EP in Colombia, M23 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen.

Before entering academia, I spent more than twenty-five years with the International Committee of the Red Cross, working across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and Central Asia. In a range of operational and leadership roles, I engaged with governments, armed groups, international organisations, and local communities in contexts of armed conflict and humanitarian crisis. This experience provided first-hand exposure to the realities of war and to the practical challenges of promoting respect for international humanitarian law.

In addition to my teaching and research, I serve on the Editorial Board of Tiempo de Paz and remain actively engaged in humanitarian policy, education, and professional training. My broader interests include humanitarian diplomacy, conflict resolution, the governance of armed actors, and the evolving role of international law in contemporary warfare.