Memories of Violence
Grappling with memory of mass atrocities was central to the emergence of transitional justice practices beginning in the 1990s (truth and
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Mass Atrocities Research
Widespread and systematic violence against civilians–mass atrocities–is a priority for the WPF because of the devastating human, social, political and economic
Read moreThe ‘Politics of Protection’
My article, “The ‘Politics of Protection’: Assessing the African Union’s Contributions to Reducing Violence Against Civilians” is now available through
Read moreOperation Starvation, expanded version 2
This is the second half of a two part extended version of an essay published in the London Review of Books
Read moreOperation Starvation, expanded version 1
This is the first half of a two part extended version of an essay published in the London Review of Books
Read moreOn Visiting the September 11 Memorial and Museum
My research over the past year has returned to a topic I once spent a great deal of time thinking
Read moreEnding Mass Atrocities: An Empirical Reinterpretation of ‘Successful’ International Military Intervention in East Timor
Claire Smith, a political scientist at York University and one of our collaborators on the how mass atrocities end project,
Read moreRe-visiting The Red Line
On September 5, 2013 we argued in The New York Times against the Obama Administration’s proposal to respond to the crossing of a red line in Syria – use of chemical weapons against civilians – by arguing that bombing for bombing’s sake was ill-conceived as punishment, failed to protect civilians and hindered peacemaking.
The question was not then, as it is not now, whether gassing civilians is acceptable. It is illegal and atrocious. The question remains one of the best strategy for protecting civilians and how use of force might play a part in service of this goal. Ending atrocities can have a military component, but ultimately it demands a political agenda and strategy.
Read moreMass Atrocities Research Program
The WPF program on mass atrocities, defined as widespread and systematic violence against civilians, primarily focuses on studying patterns of
Read moreHow mass atrocities end: compendium of 40 case studies
We have just launched a compendium of 40 case studies of mass atrocity endings. The case studies (look here for
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