Lawyering Peace: Hot Takes

When the war ends, the real work begins.  Disarming fighters, dismantling militias, and rebuilding security institutions are some of the toughest and most politically charged tasks in any post-conflict transition.  In this episode, Heba Bawaieh sits down with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio to unpack the two pillars of post-war security: Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (...

Everyone says peacebuilding should be ‘inclusive.’ But what does that actually mean? Who gets to decide? In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in post-conflict transitions.  From peace negotiations to transitional justice to post-war governance, they examine how inclusion can either build a foundation for lasting peace or reinforce elite control u...

When authoritarian regimes collapse and wars come to an end, one question looms over everything: What happens next? As Syria faces the task of rebuilding after years of war and dictatorship, difficult issues will emerge. From prosecuting war crimes to reforming security forces, from truth commissions to political reintegration, the road ahead is full of tough questions. Can justice and stability go hand in hand, or will one come at...

Peace agreements are meant to resolve conflicts, but what happens when they don’t hold? The Minsk Agreements were designed to bring stability to eastern Ukraine, yet they ultimately failed. Why did these agreements collapse? What role did international actors play in their design and implementation? And what lessons can be drawn from this experience? In this episode, host Heba Bawaieh speaks with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Mil...

Now in its third year, the Russian war on Ukraine has devastated cities, displaced millions, and reshaped global security.  As the world searches for a path forward, peace proposals have emerged, each offering different visions for ending the war.  From President Zelenskyy’s 10-Point Plan to China’s 12-Point Framework, from the African Peace Mission’s principles to the Brazil-China collaborative initiative, each proposal seeks to d...

What could a post-Assad Syria look like? In 2016, amid the chaos of war, Syria’s opposition united in Geneva to draft a visionary roadmap; a plan for democracy, justice, and institution rebuilding. Now, with the historic ousting of Bashar al-Assad, this blueprint takes on new relevance as Syrians face the challenge of shaping their future.

In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio explore how the...

How did Sudan’s hopes for democracy spiral into the devastating conflict unfolding today? After the 2019 revolution that ousted Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s journey toward democracy seemed within reach. The Juba Peace Agreement offered a glimmer of hope, but Sudan’s deep-rooted challenges ultimately led to a devastating turn toward conflict.

Join Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio as they trace Sudan’s path fro...

Can a peace agreement reshape a nation emerging from three decades under a dictatorship? After the fall of Omar al-Bashir, the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) of 2020 was unveiled with high hopes of correcting past failures.  This agreement sought more than just an end to conflict—it aimed to completely transform how Sudan is governed.  What sets the JPA apart from previous, unsuccessful efforts? And how can it possibly guide Sudan towa...

Imagine a courtroom where the world's most heinous crimes are supposed to be judged, yet only petty thieves stand trial. What happens when a peace agreement promises justice but delivers amnesty? This episode peels back the layers of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur of 2011, revealing the high stakes and hidden maneuvers behind an ambitious—and controversial—peace process.

Join host Heba Bawaieh, along with Dr. Paul Williams...

Did you know that Sudan has a history of conflict beyond Darfur and North-South wars? In this episode, we shine a light on the often-overlooked Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement of 2006.  Join Heba Bawaieh and Dr. Paul Williams as they unravel the complexities of this forgotten conflict, exploring its root causes, the promises made, and the lasting impact.  With expert insights, we uncover why understanding this piece of Sudan's histo...

In this episode, hosts Heba Bawaieh and Dr. Paul Williams journey to the heart of the Darfur Peace Agreement of 2006, also known as the Abuja Agreement. Together, they unravel the complexities of this agreement, exploring the unintended consequences of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the fragmentation of rebel groups, the Sudanese government's heavy-handed response, the international community's complex role, and the devast...

In this episode, we continue our examination of Sudan's historical peace agreements with a focus on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. This agreement aimed to end the long-standing civil conflict between northern and southern Sudan, following the shortcomings of the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement. Hosted by Heba Bawaieh and featuring Dr. Paul R. Williams, a seasoned peace negotiations lawyer, the discussion delves into the ...

At first glance, the 1997 Khartoum Peace Agreement appeared to be a perfect solution to Sudan's enduring civil war, promising peace and unity. But was it truly effective? Join host Heba Bawaieh with experts Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio as they peel back the layers of this seemingly ideal agreement to reveal the underlying complexities and challenges. 

This episode delves into the conditions that necessitated this a...

This episode dives into the historic 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement aimed at ending the 17-year-long First Sudanese Civil War. Your hosts, Heba Bawaieh and Dr. Paul Williams, discuss the significant components and implications of this landmark agreement. They explore the key issues that led to the conflict and the drivers that brought the parties to the negotiating table. This episode offers a detailed look at the mediation effort, the...

Hosted by Heba Bawaieh, this episode continues our exploration of Sudan's peace negotiations. Building on our previous discussion of Sudan's early conflicts and peace agreements, this part delves into the more recent and ongoing issues, including the Darfur Conflict, the Doha Agreement, and the complex aftermath of Omar al Bashir’s regime. We also examine the escalation of violence and failed peace initiatives that have led to the ...

This first episode inaugurates our series that delves into Sudan's rich historical context and its influence on contemporary peace processes. In this part, Heba Bawaieh, an expert from the Public International Law and Policy Group (PILPG), guides listeners through Sudan's extensive history, highlighting the events that culminated in the formation of critical peace agreements. The discussion spans Sudan's ancient and colonial er...