The Basque Country – a window of opportunities
Following successful elections in the Basque Country at the end of October – the first to take place without violence by ETA – the time has... Read More
Basque conflict – consensus on an agenda of disarmament, dismantling and reinsertion
The problem the Basque peace process faces is that the Spanish government will not change its strategy until ETA declares its dissolution, whilst ETA is not... Read More
Did the EU deserve the Nobel peace prize?
At this critical juncture for Europe, it is important to remember that the EU – despite its very own shortcomings – has strengthened democracy across... Read More
Building an inclusive peace process in the Basque Country
It is time for the local, regional and state-wide political leadership to recognise the maturity of local civil society and afford it a lead-role in the resolution of the Basque conflict and all aspects that surround it - such as the issue of prisoners, the victims of terrorism, political legitimacy and even the right to repentance.
Resolving the Basque conflict
The Spanish government should immediately establish contacts with ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna); not because it owes ETA anything, but because Basque society wants the irreversibility of the end of violence to be guaranteed through the disarmament and dismantling of ETA’s structures.
The long war gets longer – the campaign of violent dissident republicans
Recent violent activity from dissident republicans poses real threats to Northern Ireland - which is often held-up as an exemplary case study of building sustainable peace - yet why does it persist given that it is unlikely to establish a thirty-two county republic?
Northern Ireland – Living in the Half Light
TransConflict is pleased to present a short film, entitled ‘Living in the Half Light’ , which explores the challenges of dual identity experienced by children and youth in Northern Ireland whose origins are from a different culture.
Dealing with the Michael Collins problem
Along with substantive questions, both Serbia and Kosova continue to grapple with the spoiler problem which underscores – as the unfortunate examples of Ireland’s Michael Collins and Israel’s Yitzhak Rabin demonstrate – the dangers notables face if they prove willing to accept something less than total victory.
The Window in the Wall
‘The Window in the Wall’ is a planned feature-length documentary filmabout the extraordinary stories of ordinary people, and their efforts to create windows in the physical and internal walls that divide them in Northern Ireland.
Ireland and Kosovo
Elements of the Irish-English settlement may offer a model for how a Kosovar-Serbia deal might be made, including recognition that the creation of an ethnic state cannot proceed peacefully on the back of forcing an ethnic minority to join.
Draw Down the Walls
'Draw Down the Walls' is a cross-community project which uses art to engage people in interface communities to imagine what Belfast could be like without barriers, whether they are physical or not.
Economic interdependence in Cyprus
A study of economic interdependence and its future prospects in Cyprus demonstrates the importance of economic ties in transforming conflict, and reveals an important number of lessons for other divided and disputed territories.
Do good walls make good neighbours?
Over a decade on from the Good Friday Agreement, Belfast is yet to tackle the interfaces and contested spaces of the north of the city, or indeed to look to remove the walls that have for so long shaped the daily lives of the people living there; real peace does not need to be sustained or “secured” by walls.
Comparative perspectives for Afghan peacebuilders
A workshop for peacebuilders from across Afghanistan provided a variety of comparative perspectives - including from the former Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland - designed to strengthen their own peacebuilding efforts.
The former Yugoslavia’s language conundrum
Whilst nationalism continues to rear its head in the former Yugoslavia, so language will continue to act as a divisive, as opposed to unifying, force.
Cyprus – the drama unfolds
Given the on-going political crisis over hydro-carbon exploitation rights, plus a pending July 2012 deadline by which Greek Cypriots will assume the rotating EU Presidency, the failure of UN-mandated talks over reunification seems inevitable.
Turkey – a welcome return to the Balkans?
Though Turkey - which is seeking to re-build its once flourishing Ottoman-era ties with most Balkan states - is increasingly portrayed as a reliable business partner, rather then an aggressive and neo-imperialist player, further steps are required to ease anxiety towards its policies.
