Preventing wars and massive human rights violations, and rebuilding societies in their aftermath, requires an approach that incorporates the perspectives of both human rights advocates and conflict resolution practitioners. This is easier to assert than to achieve. These two groups make different assumptions, apply different methodologies, and have different institutional constraints. As a result, they…

On January 2nd 2020, the US sent a drone to bomb an Iranian General, Qassem Soleimani. This open declaration of war from the United States is bringing the low-scale conflict between the US and Iran into a dangerous escalation point that could potentially bring more instability in the region and possibly another full-scale war in…

By Anahita Shahrokhi The different interpretations of religion and its position in public life play an important role in Middle Eastern politics, affecting the course of ongoing conflicts significantly. This is evident in attempts by Iran to use its religious, financial, political and military influence to create sectarian militias and expand its presence and influence…

The author argues that Peace and Conflict Studies serves as a comprehensive reference book that provides a lively account of peace and conflict that simultaneously stimulates the mind and tugs at the heart. There is some psychology in this book. However, the coverage is much broader and particularly generous with historical material, which gives the reader a…

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen, populations remain at risk of war crimes and are experiencing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Fighting between Houthi rebels, members of the General People’s Congress, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and various forces loyal to the internationally-recognized government – as well as airstrikes…

In 2012, for the first time in its 22 years of independence, Georgia witnessed the peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box. It was a significant development for the country’s ambitious democratisation agenda. However, the news of religious intolerance in the villages of Nigvziani, Tsintskharo and Chela, where there are substantial Muslim populations, and…

New Data Confirm Political Violence Targeting Women is on the Rise 28 May 2019: Women around the world are facing unprecedented levels of targeted political violence. According to new data on political violence targeting women collated by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) – in partnership with the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law at…

After the ghastly assassination of seven aid workers and their guide in a natural park in Niger on August 9, many false stereotypes surfaced in the media with regard to humanitarian aid in armed conflict zones. Humanitarian aid workers were portrayed from two opposing angles. One described the heroism of aid workers as dauntless saviors…