Case Study and Webinar: The Importance of State Legitimacy in Achieving Stability

Conflict narratives in fragile states are often framed by identity groups or other non-state actors along ideological or ethno-sectarian lines to achieve political ends. But in many instances, the main grievances of populations in affected communities are centered around basic dignity and livelihoods. Non-state actors, including violent extremists, often try to capitalize on these grievances…

Creating Stability through Education in Syria

Children, young people, and adults alike have been traumatized by more than a decade of conflict in Syria. With more than 2 million children out of school, education remains one of the country’s hardest-hit local governance sectors. Issues that affect children’s abilities to access quality education services range from a lack of infrastructure to the…

Final Report: Libya Transition Initiative 3

From May 2017 to February 2022, LTI 3 sought to prevent further deterioration in political and security conditions in Libya while preserving as much space as possible for eventual political compromise, unified civilian leadership, reconciliation, and positive political transition. The program worked in strategic communities where stability is most fragile while seizing windows of opportunity…

The Politics of Peacebuilding: Engaging Elites to Resolve Conflict

The event examined how informal power drives conflict through the lens of “Elite Bargains and Political Deals” theory. By exploring the new approach’s potential, the presenters sketched a roadmap for engaging often elusive power brokers in peacebuilding programming. Panelists, drawn from across academia and implementation, discussed how “Elite Bargains and Political Deals” theory sheds new…

Michael Shaw

Michael has spent much of the past decade working in conflict-affected environments, mostly as an adviser for FCDO and USAID OTI programs in locations including Uruzgan and Syria. He also served as the civilian stabilization adviser to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Syria/Iraq Stabilization Review in 2017. In 2020 he led the startup team…

News: Chemonics Publishes ‘Elite Bargains and Political Deals Toolkit’ to Bolster Peace and Stabilization Programs

The practical guide provides a means to analyze power dynamics in local conflicts. The approaches and activities contained support organizations to develop conflict mitigation, resolution, and prevention techniques that reflect the underlying political and cultural factors that drive conflict. The free, open-access toolkit provides organizations with a step-by-step guide on how to plan and run…

Elite Bargains and Political Deals Toolkit

The free, open-access toolkit provides organizations a step-by-step guide to plan and run a two-to-four-day workshop on applying “Elite Bargains and Political Deals” (EBPD) theory in community-level conflicts. The workshop explains foundational EBPD concepts and helps local organizations translate theory into practical peace and stabilization activities. Peacebuilding and stabilization efforts must consider informal power structures…

Daniel Emory

Daniel Emory has more than five years of international development experience supporting USAID and U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded projects in west and southern Africa spanning conflict prevention, democracy and governance, and agricultural development. He currently serves as project manager for the Transparency and Accountability for Inclusive Development in Mozambique project, and recently…

Promoting Dialogue to Build Peace in Mali

Since 2012, Mali has faced a succession of violent conflicts. This violence has fractured Mali’s political landscape, with several warring factions holding power in different parts of the country. In Mali’s Sahel region, local and international NGOs are promoting dialogue among influential groups to revitalize the stalling peace process, reduce violence, and deliver long-term stability.…