Policy Acceptance and Scholarly Reluctance
Aditya Sarkar reflects on the political marketplace framework and its use in comparative research to understand transactional politics in conflict-affected states.
Transactional Politics: Theorizing practice, from Africa and the Middle East to the...
Alex de Waal argues that politics is shifting away from stable institutions and rules towards a world of transactional power.
A Seat at the UN Security Council: A State on the Brink
Somalia’s governance crisis, where international counterterrorism priorities and elite self-interest have undermined state-building, is enabling Al Shabaab to thrive.
Post-Traumatic Growth and Its Inhibition in South Sudan: Unfulfilled Promise Amid...
Adut Alaak Garang explores how recurring violence in South Sudan, rooted in unresolved trauma, continues to destabilise the nation and prevent meaningful healing.
Rethinking the Politics of Fiscal Governance in Fragile States
Ed Laws and Deval Desai explore the evolving role of fiscal governance in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Never Let a Good Crisis Go: On the Political Escalation in South Sudan
As tensions escalate, Jan Pospisil provides in-depth analysis of the unfolding political crisis in South Sudan following the house arrest of Riek Machar.
Galkayo and Kismayo – Understanding Urban Fragments in Somalia’s Peace and Conflict...
This blog explores justice and security dynamics in Somalia through the examples of Kismayo and Galkayo.
Violence in South Sudan is rising again: what’s different this time, and how to avoid...
As political tensions rise in South Sudan and violence spirals out of control, Jan Pospisil examines the drivers of discontent and how to avoid civil war.
Grounded Resilience: What Syria’s Earthquake Response Taught Us About Civic Ecosystems
Dr Munzer Alkhalil explores the response of the civic ecosystem to the 2023 earthquake in northwest Syria.
Development cooperation in a conflict-ridden world
In a world where conflicts and tensions occur at regional, national and global levels increase, security for international development cooperation will become one of the greatest challenges.
Syria's Economic Crossroads: Inclusive Recovery or Inevitable Collapse
Zaki Mehchy shares insights into the economic devastation in Syria and advocates for an inclusive economic strategy to ensure sustainable and equitable growth.
Sharp Elbows and Open Hearts: Practicing Feminist Peace in a Transactional World
Feminist peace is not just an ideal – Ingrid Münch shares practical strategies for maintaining self-efficacy and inspiration in a polarised world.