This chapter examines patterns of intergroup lethal conflict and peaceful cooperation among nomadic hunter-gatherers based on comparative, cross-cultural ethnographic data. It assesses the validity of the ‘deep roots’ and ‘shallow roots’ of war theses, analysing peaceful practices such as the use of messengers; conflict prevention, management, and resolution; truce- and peace-making; deterrence signalling; alliance formation; and peacetime espionage, as well as networks of exchange. Drawing on a carefully selected sample of nomadic foragers who had no contact with non-forager societies, the chapter shows that nomadic hunter-gatherers both waged war and developed a large repertoire of diplomatic practices to sustain peaceful intergroup cooperation.

This final chapter looks to the future of intergroup theories and research, and to changes that could lead to stronger intergroup theories - remembering that the most practical thing is a good theory. First, closer ties are suggested between intergroup theories and research on (a) feminist theory (b) allyship and (c) intersectionality. Second, it is proposed that intergroup theories pay more attention to (1) integrating individual, group, and societal processes (2) irrationality and emotions (3) rights and duties (4) plasticity in intergroup behavior (5) leadership (6) conflict resolution.

This book, the culmination of research initiated in 2013, offers a comprehensive examination of the persistent failure to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine. It contends that peace must be understood as a strategic necessity rather than a tactical manoeuvre, requiring sustained commitment, institutional trust and mutual restraint. Drawing on historical analysis, interviews and comparative case studies, the book identifies the structural, political and moral factors underlying the collapse of major peace initiatives – from Oslo to Camp David to Annapolis – and proposes an evidence-based framework for future negotiations. It argues that genuine reconciliation demands the renunciation of violence, control of extremist elements, and the cultivation of a shared political language grounded in recognition, empathy and coexistence. By situating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within broader international experiences – such as the Northern Ireland peace process, post-apartheid South Africa and Nordic reconciliation – the study demonstrates that protracted conflicts can be resolved through visionary leadership, ethical governance and equitable compromise. Ultimately, it asserts that peace constitutes both a moral imperative and a strategic prerequisite for the long-term stability, legitimacy and survival of Israel, Palestine and the wider region.

This practical chapter outlines a comprehensive proposal for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, grounded in clear premises and a structured methodology. The plan unfolds in stages: Gaza must first be rebuilt to address humanitarian and strategic needs. Israel and the Palestinian Authority should renew cooperation in civilian and economic spheres. Militant factions like Hamas and Islamic Jihad must be marginalised and disarmed. Democratic elections in the West Bank should be limited to parties that recognise Israel and reject violence. A two-state solution is central, followed by consideration of a confederation between Palestine (West Bank) and Jordan. Gaza may join this confederation if its leadership commits to peaceful resolution and the proposed principles.

This chapter suggests practical information on the requirements for successful negotiations. Building on extensive research in archives and more than one hundred in-depth interviews with senior decision-makers and negotiators who were involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict, the chapter outlines the basic qualities that negotiators, mediators and facilitators should have and things they should do, and then the discussion focuses on what negotiators, mediators and facilitators should not do. The arguments are supported by examples from previous peace negotiations between Arabs and Israelis. These experiences shed important light on past events and offer yardsticks for future negotiations. Thus, this is a practical chapter that can be useful for future negotiations.

This chapter presents the research methodology and conceptual foundations of this study on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. It combines analysis of primary and secondary sources – including archival research in London, Jerusalem, Washington, DC, and Oslo – with over one hundred semi-structured interviews. These interviews with senior officials and diplomats from ten countries and the United Nations form a rich oral history, offering firsthand insights into key moments, strategic decisions and ethical dilemmas. The conceptual framework draws on theories of justice, conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation and facilitation, as well as the concepts of political ripeness, compromise, superforecasting and spoiler management. It integrates normative and empirical scholarship to explore the conditions for peace, emphasising the role of intermediaries and the need for sustained, coordinated engagement. The chapter argues that principled compromise – anchored in analytical rigour and institutional resilience – is vital for lasting peace. This framework informs the study’s empirical analysis and contributes to broader debates in international relations, law and peace studies.

Chapter 1 introduces the book’s central research question and rationale. It highlights the growing prevalence of Islamist civil wars. The chapter underscores the urgent need to understand how these conflicts can be effectively ended and resolved, pointing to the lack of systematic scholarly attention to this issue. The book examines whether – and why – Islamist civil wars are more difficult to end than other conflicts, and to what extent they can be resolved. Developing a bargaining explanation, we suggest that Islamist civil wars are especially intractable because they are embedded in a particular strategic environment, which increases uncertainties about the parties’ resolve and capabilities. Understanding what makes Islamist civil wars so challenging is necessary to identify what can be done to resolve and end them. The chapter outlines the book’s main arguments and findings, including the empirical focus and cases to be explored, setting the stage for the chapters that follow.

In Chapter 5, we explore the implications of our argument for the prospects for conflict resolution in Islamist civil wars. Using new global data on negotiations coupled with existing data on peace agreements, we demonstrate that conflict resolution efforts in the form of peace negotiations are rare in Islamist civil wars, whereas we find no robust support for our expectation that peace accords are less likely in Islamist civil wars. In this chapter, we not only compare Islamist civil wars with other conflicts but also focus on Islamist conflicts to explore whether there are any differences when comparing transnationalized Islamist civil wars with other types of Islamist civil wars. We find support for our claim that those Islamist conflicts that appeal to a transnational global agenda are less open to negotiations and peace agreements. Examples from Thailand, Egypt, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan validate the distinction between transnationally oriented and domestically focused conflicts and the potential of negotiations and peace agreements in Islamist civil wars.

The many tasks of the facilitator, as distinct from those of a work group’s leader, are defined and developed, including dealing with conflict. Decision analysis works for the client because the model acts as a transitional object, holding and containing the client’s uncertainty as the model is explored, new insights develop, and preferences are constructed.

This vignette explores a communication challenge that arises during the care of a critically ill neonate requiring a lumbar puncture. The learner is provided with an opportunity to observe and reflect on interprofessional conflict and the skills needed to navigate it. They are then presented with a model response to guide future encounters. The case emphasizes the importance of validating team members’ concerns, maintaining professionalism, and redirecting focus toward shared goals. Learners will also gain strategies to de-escalate emotionally charged situations and preserve teamwork in high-stakes environments. Ultimately, this scenario highlights that delivering high-quality emergency care requires more than clinical knowledge—it also demands emotional intelligence and leadership under pressure.

Couple conflict has received significant attention in couples research, chiefly because poorly managed conflict raises risk for a host of negative outcomes including relationship dissatisfaction, divorce, domestic violence, occupational impairment, and poor child well-being. Effective conflict management is a central target of couple therapy and relationship education. In this chapter, we define couple conflict, describe the frequency and common topics of conflict, and provide examples of how researchers measure conflict. We then describe different ways that couples manage conflict, highlighting effective and ineffective conflict management behaviors and how they affect relationship functioning. Next, we describe conflict and conflict management among historically underrepresented couples. Last, we present information on relationship interventions that target couple conflict and describe future directions for research on couple conflict.

An explanation is given of what channel coordination entails and why it is so important, both internally and externally to the firm. Key coordination objectives are discussed. The importance of pull and push strategy connections to successful channel coordination efforts is stressed. Sufficient channel control is only achieved in both direct channels and indirect channels through effective coordination efforts. How power is built and applied within both direct and indirect channels is elaborated upon. Finally, an explanation is given of how manifest conflict and motivation can impact both channel functioning and subsequent end-customer behavior.

Conflicts with adversaries can sometimes be unavoidable. Decision making in conflict can be unpleasant, stressful, and troubling. Success in an adversarial situation will not necessarily be achieved by the participant with the better initial position, but rather by the decision maker who is experienced in conflict situations, understands the dynamics of conflict, and is able to outsmart their adversary. This chapter differentiates between interests, disputes, and conflicts. Methods for conflict resolution are outlined as well as strategies for prevailing in a conflict. The chapter summarizes institutions in society where some disputes or conflicts may be addressed. Important structural similarities found in many disputes and conflicts are highlighted, including the different approaches of offense and defense, and the impact of timing and movement. Whether the parties to the conflict are individuals, corporations, or nations confronting each other at a negotiating table, a courtroom, or in a military battlespace, many of the strategies, dynamics, and interactions are the same.

Chapter 9 takes up the study of integration as a project and examines views across inter-cultural divides. The study draws on argumentation methods as an analytical tool for understanding how people justify their views on integration through warrants, data and evidence in support claims. The study of argumentation reveals a broad diversity of views within both groups under study, with some favouring and some disagreeing with the integration project in both camps. It proceeds then to report survey findings that sought to measure the extent of agreement with these identified claims in a population of Maltese citizens as well as a sample of Arabs in Malta. The study further measured the attributions of each group about the other, that is, the extent to which one group thought the other would agree or disagree with the claims. The findings were highly revealing. Both the Maltese and the Arab respondents favoured integration, but the Maltese group misunderstood the Arab intent and the extent to which they favoured integration over other intercultural strategies. The chapter concludes by outlining a staircasing proposal using the solicited claims to bring both groups on board using claims they already agree with and to scale further collaboration thereafter.

The second empirical example of conceptualized peace presents a study of young people who were former high school restorative justice leaders. By presenting an example not explicitly related to peace, the chapter helps expand understanding the utility and applicability of the framework, as well as the methods that can be used with it. The research was a retrospective investigation of the role that their high school restorative justice experience played in these young people’s development. While they may not be representative of all students, their experiences and the impact these carry with them years later have value for thinking about restorative justice and development. Their understandings of restorative justice and the roles it has played in their lives speak to its potential to provide tools for internal peace, coping strategies for stress and interpersonal conflict, and opportunities to see themselves as able to promote peace in their immediate social circles and by taking on problematic systems.