Durable Settlement Research Articles

Causes and consequences of Israel-Palestine war

The war between Israel and Palestine is among the longest-lasting and most intricate geopolitical conflicts of the contemporary period. The dispute, which has its roots in a history of conflicting claims to land and national identity, has resulted in decades of violence, evictions, and political impasse. This study offers a thorough analysis of the Israel- Palestine conflict, emphasizing significant historical occurrences, underlying factors, and current dynamics influencing the conflict. The research follows the rise of rival nationalisms and the 1948 establishment of the State of Israel, starting with the early Zionist movement and the British Mandate era. It looks at the uprooting of Arab Palestinians, the Arab Israeli wars that followed, and the occupation of Palestinian lands, such as the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the study explores the intricacies of religious, cultural, and geopolitical elements that intensify hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians. This research attempts to give a comprehensive view of the Israel-Palestine conflict using an interdisciplinary approach based on political science, historical analysis, and international relations theory. The research aims to provide insight into the historical foundations and current expressions of this ongoing struggle to support educated discourse and attempts to find a fair and durable settlement.

Public Support for Power Grabs after Civil Conflict

Power-sharing is a recognized strategy for reaching durable settlements among rivals. However, power-sharing arrangements are often violated when one side grabs power. We examine public perceptions of power-sharing versus power-grabbing in the context of local policing in Mosul, Iraq. In a survey experiment, we investigate if ­individuals believe that security in Mosul, in the aftermath of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) occupation, is enhanced or reduced under power-sharing versus power-grabbing treatments, which vary the authority held by distinct factions of the counter-ISIS coalition. The public is more likely to support power-grabbing than power-sharing in matters of policing and security. In the case of power-grabbing, there are also important moderating effects of conflict-related victimization. Unlike nonvictims who favor ingroup power-grabbing to enhance local ­sectarian control, victims place a premium on stability, welcoming even external, out-group control over power-sharing among groups who might be at odds. Our results underscore the challenges of institutionalizing power-sharing mechanisms for peacebuilding after conflict.

Early settlement construction in Southeast Asia: lime mortar floor sequences at Loc Giang, southern Vietnam

Research on prehistoric mainland Southeast Asia is dominated by mortuary contexts, leaving processes such as the transition to sedentism relatively understudied. Recent excavations in southern Vietnam, however, have recovered new evidence for settlement. The authors report on investigations at the neolithic site of Loc Giang (3980–3270 cal BP) in southern Vietnam, where excavation revealed a vertical sequence of more than 30 surfaces. Microarchaeological analyses indicate that these features are carefully prepared lime mortar floors; the lime was probably produced from burnt shell. The floors date to between 3510 and 3150 cal BP, providing the earliest-known evidence for the use of lime mortar, and for durable settlement construction, in this region.

The Kurdish Civil War and Peace Negotiations, 1994–1998

The Kurdish Civil War between the military forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) began in 1994. Despite frequently occurring peace talks throughout the conflict, negotiations failed to bring about a durable settlement until the United States brokered the Washington Peace Agreement in 1998. This research explores why the earlier negotiations were unsuccessful, and whether it was only the US mediation in 1998 which made the difference. Although the US mediation was clearly an important factor, by employing the contingency model this research argues that both contextual variables and process variables determined the success of negotiations in 1998. Furthermore, they can explain the failure of the previous 4 years of negotiations.

Sustainable Solutions for Mass-Housing Design in Africa: Energy and Cost Assessment for the Somali Context

Today, the main issue of providing adequate and affordable housing is to go beyond the mere offer of basic shelters, intending to create sustainable and durable settlements. Due to the fragile and uncertain nature of its social, political and economic context, characterized by the lack of common shared legislative references and business strategies in the housing sector, Somalia is a challenging reality to be explored and improved. This paper describes the outcomes of the BECOMe project, intending to propose sustainable solutions for mass-housing design for new sustainable settlements in Mogadishu, involving local entrepreneurs, social organizations and renewable energy. In detail, social, environmental and economic key sustainability requirements (KSRs) for mass-housing are identified first. Then, the most appropriate climate-responsive design and construction technologies at the building level, tailored to the Mogadishu context, are selected; the outcomes are applied to a specific case-study building, assessing energy and cost performances to pave the way for implementation projects in Somalia.

The Essence of Analogy: Conflict Termination and State-building Lessons from Bosnia-Herzegovina to Syria

Abstract From the perspective of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) today, the legacy of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) remains mixed. The dominant view is that the DPA is the origin of its political impasse, economic stagnation, and failed nation-building. Yet, it is indisputable that DPA has been successful in preventing the recurrence of a major violent ethnic conflict in BiH. More recently, the failures of Syrian peace talks to yield a durable settlement have evoked the lessons from the DPA. However, most analyses have concluded the parallels with the Bosnian war and its resolution are misplaced given the complexity and severity of the war in Syria. This article argues for a more nuanced approach to distilling the Dayton legacy, particularly when it is employed as a historical analogy. It highlights the usefulness of the DPA as an analogy for successful conflict termination, while offering lessons about the pitfalls of externally imposed consociational arrangements.

Monica Duffy Toft: Securing the Peace: The Durable Settlement of Civil Wars

Monica Duffy Toft: Securing the Peace: The Durable Settlement of Civil Wars

Peace Unwanted? – The Frozen Conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh Revisited

More than twenty years after the ceasefire agreement has been signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, little has been reached in resolving the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh. This paper aims to provide insight into political dimensions of the conflict combining a geopolitical perspective with a perspective of local dynamics on the ground. Analyzing contributing factors to the lack of progress in the durable settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh provides an outlook on possibilities for a peaceful settlement of the dispute, which is of high relevance from a humanitarian perspective. The current positions of international actors contributing to the stalemate, as well as a lack of influential involvement of the civil society in the region provide little reason to believe significant change for a peaceful settlement of the conflict will be made in the near future. Increased transparency and improved communication are needed to provide opportunities for a peaceful change.This paper is primarily based on desk research, with additional insights gained from a research stay, and was issued as a contribution to Indonesian Humanitarian Action Forum. It is seen as an opportunity to shed light on an often forgotten conflict which poses strong humanitarian concerns due to a large number of IDPs (Internally Displaced Person) and continued landmine contamination hindering development.

English

This study presents a detailed and critical review of the Alternative Dispute Resolution as a non-judicial mechanism for the settlement of environmental disputes in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Ordinarily, disputes whether environmental or otherwise are resolved through court processes, but due to delays, costs, publicity and technicality associated with litigation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms evolved. There are several bitter complaints from the victims of pollution in the Niger Delta region that the courts, conventionally the last hope of the common man, have not lived up to expectations in environmental litigations thereby justifying their recourse to ADR as a better option. A significant number of environmental cases were lost on flimsy reasons. Today, ADR procedures are considered imperative worldwide, and are used by a wide range of courts, tribunals, organizations and victims of pollution in Nigeria as tools for overcoming environmental impasse, improving the efficiency of difficult negotiations, and achieving durable settlements. It takes different forms as arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, among others. The detailed discussion of these forms, and their advantages vis-a-vis the courts’ processes will facilitate an informed appreciation of the use of ADR in the environmental disputes settlement. Key words: Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), environmental, Niger Delta, arbitration, court, pollution, right, Nigeria dispute.

The Distribution of Scottish Settlements in Ontario, 1871–1901

Emigration from Scotland in the nineteenth century is marked by its significant use of chain migration. This article focuses on how migrant chains affected Scottish settlement patterns in Ontario in the late nineteenth century, highlighting their reliance on friends and family to successfully relocate. Remittances, letters, and other forms of support point to the continued importance of kin and clan across borders. What differentiated Scottish migrants from chain migrants of other nationalities was the durability of their settlements. Migrant chains from other origins typically produce durable settlements that persist over time. Scots, on the other hand, show significantly less settlement durability. Census data are used to describe the concentration of Scottish immigrants over time within districts in Ontario, Canada, and how the degree of concentration changed over time. These data and the results are illustrated with a series of census maps.

John Smith's settlement? The work of the 1992–93 Labour Party—Trade Union Links Review Group

AbstractIn this article, I examine the work of the 1992–93 Labour Party Trade Union Links Review Group. I ask whether the measures it proposed amounted to a new, durable settlement that governed internal relationships within the party. I detail disagreements amongst trade unions over the format that parliamentary selections should take; I evaluate the demands for reform of the party‐union link; I ask whether support for reform and for one member, one vote was falling in the early 1990s; I consider whether unions launched a ‘no say no pay campaign’ with regard to the Labour Party; I assess how much restraint was demonstrated at this time by Labour's affiliated unions and I consider what might have been at stake in these debates more generally. I conclude that there was considerable antagonism in party‐union relations during the early 1990s and that the work of the review group did not amount to an enduring settlement.

Finding a Peace that Lasts

How does leverage vary across different mediators? What influence does this variation have on mediation outcomes? Extant literature has equated mediation leverage with material power. Leverage, however, is context dependent and comprised of two dimensions: capability and credibility. Capability leverage is a function of economic resources and power, while credibility leverage derives influence from historical and cultural ties that bolster a mediator’s contextual knowledge of a conflict. I hypothesize that mediators with capability leverage are more likely to achieve short-term success, whereas mediators with credibility leverage generate more durable settlements. I quantitatively test the hypotheses using civil war mediation attempts from 1989 to 2006. I find that capability leverage does indeed contribute to the achievement of short-term success; credibility leverage, however, generates a more durable peace. The results demonstrate the importance of understanding mediation leverage as a context-dependent concept and highlight the potential long-term benefits of softer forms of mediation.

Development of environmentally friendly antifouling paints using biodegradable polymer and lower toxic substances

The development of new antifouling coatings with respect to the marine environment is actually crucial. The aim of the present work is to concept an erodible paint formulated with biodegradable polyester as binders and which combines two modes of prevention: chemical and physical repelling of biofouling. This system is principally dedicated to disturb durable settlement of microfouling. Each component was chosen according to its specific properties: chlorhexidine is a bisdiguanide antiseptic with antibacterial activity, zinc peroxide is an inorganic precursor of high instable entities which react with seawater to create hydrogen peroxide, Tween 85 is a non ionic surfactant disturbing interactions between colonizing organisms and surface. Obtained results highlighted the interest on mixing such molecules to obtain a promising coating with lower toxicity than traditional systems.

Joint-action of antifouling substances in copper-free paints

Due to the environmentally harmful impact of tributyltin self-polishing paints, there is a critical need of more ecological alternatives. The aim of the present work is to study the joint-action of three molecules chosen in order to combine the two modes of prevention: chemical and physical repelling of biofouling. This “hybrid” system is principally dedicated to disturb durable settlement of microfouling. Each component was chosen according to its specific properties: chlorhexidine is a bisdiguanide antiseptic with antibacterial activity, zinc peroxide is an inorganic precursor of high instable entities which react with seawater to create hydrogen peroxide, Tween 85 is a non ionic surfactant disturbing interactions between colonizing organisms and surface. Obtained results highlighted the interest on mixing such molecules to get additive action on antifouling efficiency.

Time to Agree

This article explores the impact of time pressure on negotiation processes in territorial conflicts in the post–cold war era. While it is often argued that time pressure can help generate positive momentum in peace negotiations and help break deadlocks, extensive literature also suggests that perceived time shortage can have a negative impact on the cognitive processes involved in complex, intercultural negotiations. The analysis explores these hypotheses through a comparison of sixty-eight episodes of negotiation using fuzzy-set logic, a form of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). The conclusions confirm that time pressure can, in certain circumstances, be associated with broad agreements but also that only low levels of time pressure or its absence are associated with durable settlements. The analysis also suggests that the negative effect of time pressure on negotiations is particularly relevant in the presence of complex decision making and when a broad range of debated issues is at stake.

Securing the peace: the durable settlement of civil wars

List of Tables and Illustrations ix Preface xi Chapter 1. Introduction: Civil War Termination in Historical and Theoretical Context 1 Chapter 2. Civil War Termination in Perspective 19 Chapter 3. Securing the Peace: Mutual Benefi t, Mutual Harm 39 Chapter 4. Statistical Analysis of War Recurrence and Longer- Term Outcomes 53 Chapter 5. El Salvador: A Successful Negotiated Settlement 70 Chapter 6. Uganda: Rebel Victory Begets Stability 96 Chapter 7. The Republic of Sudan: A Collapsed Negotiated Settlement 116 Chapter 8. The Republic of Sudan: Prospects for Peace 130 Chapter 9. Conclusion 150 Appendix 163 Notes 175 Bibliography 207 Index 223

Securing the Peace: The Durable Settlement of Civil Wars by Monica Duffy Toft

Securing the Peace: The Durable Settlement of Civil Wars <i>by Monica Duffy Toft</i>

U.S. Policy and Peacemaking Efforts in the Middle East: Historical Perspectives

The United States has long sought to promote a lasting peace settlement between Israel and the Arab countries. That objective has outlived the Cold War, but the Middle East was a particular flashpoint during the Cold War because of the prospect that the two superpowers might become directly involved. Moreover, the Soviet Union's strong political and military backing for Arab governments often worked against U.S. efforts to broker a peace settlement. This essay reviews two recent books that trace the history of U.S. involvement in the Middle East after the creation of Israel in 1948. The Cold War accentuated a basic problem that has persisted after the Cold War; namely, that several of the leading parties to the conflict are less intent than the United States on achieving a durable peace settlement.

It ain't over till it's over: fashioning durable settlements

AbstractVivian Berger, of New York, examines hard‐earned settlements that nearly evaporated. In order to better serve mediation participants' interests, she presents six problems that hinder or prevent a mediation agreement, and discusses precautions to avoid getting derailed.

The Delegate’s Office of the Polish Government-in-Exile and the “Jewish question” (1940-1945)

Before as well as during the years of occupation, a durable settlement of Poland’s “Jewish question” claimed the foremost attention of Polish politicians. While the Government-in-Exile did not tie itself to a specific scenario for the living together of Poles and Jews in the postwar period, influential figures in the exile government and its underground Delegate’s Office (Delegatura Rządu) spoke up for mass emigration of Poland’s Jewish minority. They backed up this claim reasoning that the Jewish population behaved disloyal in the Eastern Polish territories occupied by the Red Army. Resting on archival material and on the underground press edited by the Delegatura Rządu, this article delineates the thoughts of some of those officials as well as views expressed in the wider debate inside the ethnic Polish community. An analysis of the discourse on the “Jewish question” shows that Jewish representatives perceived the constant calls for Jewish emigration as a threat. Anxiety mounted when they became aware that people active in the underground were ready to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the expulsion of the Jews from the socioeconomic life, which was part of the Nazi program. As a consequence, trust was lacking on which to build a common front against the invader. Under the conditions of a brutally rampant occupation regime that strengthened the radicals and set ethnic groups at each other, mistrust could not be overcome. In 1945, some journalists close to the Delegatura Rządu ended up in anti-Jewish obsessions reminiscent of the pre-war period. They became part of the legacy that lingered on in the era of Polish national communism.