The problem of conflict regionalization arises most acutely where neighboring states provide military support to domestic conflict parties and may even be involved in hostilities. These dynamics constitute a worrying trend because they tend to make the conflicts more protracted and less amenable to resolution through mediation.
The project is led by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
Focus
This project will be based on original case studies as well as reviews of the relevant literature. The case studies will cover conflict and peace processes in Afghanistan (2018-21); Central America (1986-1990); Democratic Republic of Congo (1998-2003); the 1991 Madrid Conference on the Israel-Palestine conflict; the Minsk process on the Russia-Ukraine conflict (2014-15); South Sudan (2013-15); Sudan (2023-4); the Astana process for Syria (2012-23); and Yemen (2015-23).
Case study research questions
- In what ways was the conflict regionalized?
- How did the regionalization of the conflict affect mediation efforts?
- How did the mediators address, or fail to address, the regionalization of the conflict?
- Were there gaps and tensions between the regional dynamics of the conflict and the design and dynamics of the mediation?
- What were the effects of the mediator’s approach to the regionalization of the conflict?
Why it matters
When conflicts are regionalized, mediators are confronted with a more complex and difficult political environment. They must engage with both the domestic parties and their regional backers and must attempt to manage and balance a greater number of objectives, agendas, interests and power dynamics.
The international mediation community is therefore interested in drawing lessons from peacemaking experiences in regionalized conflict. They want to know how best to include external actors in peace processes; whether external and domestic mediation efforts should take place concurrently or sequentially; who is best placed to mediate the regional conflict dimensions; and what substantive regional issues should be included in peace agreements.