S3 Ep3: State Collapse and the Shrinking of Civic Space under the Taliban: The Politics of Knowledge in Afghanistan

In the aftermath of the Republic’s collapse, a lack of shared understanding of policy priorities and effective civic interventions is impeding development of pathways toward stability for Afghanistan. The situation has since deteriorated across all scores of human security under the Taliban, with concurrent human rights, humanitarian, and political crises. In this episode we look at how narratives of state failure, shaped largely by Western expertise, have overlooked and undermined the progress made by Afghans in healthcare, education, and economic stabilization. We argue that the outsized nature of the international intervention in Afghanistan, alongside a top-down approach to conflict resolution, has contributed to a misrepresentation of on-the-ground realities. Featuring Marika Theros and Sahar Halaimzai, both policy fellows at the LSE Conflict and Civicness Research Group (CCRG) and the co-directors of the Peacerep’s Afghanistan Research Network. Marika and Sahar in 2021 worked together on the creation and realization of the ‘trilateral 1.5 track dialogue’ at the Atlantic Council, bringing together US, European and Afghan stakeholders to develop an inclusive and longer-term strategic outlook on stability in Afghanistan.

The war in Ukraine is an ‘axial event’ in twenty-first century history, in which the agency of Ukrainians will have, one way or another, a tremendous impact on the future of global security. From Ukrainian soldiers and emergency rescue teams operating on the frontline to the extensive web of civilian volunteers across the country, civic resistance continues to be a potent counterforce to the brute force of Russia’s military machine. But can this unity be sustained and under what conditions? In this episode, we break down the origins of Ukrainian civicness from the start of the Revolution of Dignity that ousted the pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. We look at different roles adopted by a broad set of actors within the society since, following nationwide reforms and the pressures of Russia’s conventional and hybrid warfare. We argue that Putin’s strategy may well be to transform the war in Ukraine into a protracted and long-running conflict resembling the ‘new wars’ of modern time. Featuring Mary Kaldor, Professor Emeritus of Global Governance and Director of the Conflict Research Group (CRD) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and Oksana Potapova, a Ukrainian peacebuilding research and activist pursuing a PhD at the Department of Gender Studies at LSE.

In slightly more than a decade of independence, South Sudan has endured civil war and a shaky peace agreement that leaves over 11 million South Sudanese yearning for the a less violent future. Devastating war in neighboring northern Sudan once again underscores Juba’s acute dependence on revenue from oil exports, which have similarly been captured by the country’s kleptocratic rulers.  In this episode we look at how the lack of equitable distribution of revenue has persisted. Using latest research, we observe a locally driven understanding of resource extraction and management practices among the wider South Sudanese community that learns from the country and region’s history of inequitable patterns of rule.  What does this mean for South Sudan in the context of global decarbonization and scramble for scarce resources? Find out in this debut episode featuring Dr. Matthew Benson, the Sudans Research Director at LSE CCRG and Rose Mabu, a researcher within the South Sudan-based Bridge Network of South Sudanese researchers. 

Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has long been associated with mineral wealth. Indeed, the country is hugely rich in natural resources - and this has played an important incentivising role in the conflicts seen over the last three decades. But this is by no means the whole picture. And a one-sided focus on minerals alone can lose sight of other important dimensions.  In this episode, we explore the changing nature of the political economy of violence in the DRC. We outline the connections between local and global factors in fuelling the 'mineral wars'. But we also explore the new phenomenon of rebel financing: the role of checkpoints, showing how this also elicits linkages between globalisation and local political economies. We argue checkpoints provide an important window into governance practices in the DRC - and a greater awareness of this aspect, and its nuances, can help generate policy-making that is receptive to local conditions.  Featuring, Lys Kulamadayil, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Amsterdam, Peer Schouten, a Senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, Godefroid Muzalia Kihangu, professor at the department of History and Social Science at the Higher Education Institute of Bukavu, and Bienvenu Mukungilwa, a research assistant with the CERUKI at the Higher Education Institute of Bukavu.  Producers: Luke Cooper, Azaria Morgan Sound editor: Camilo Tirado  Translation and production support: Henry Radice, LSE, Kasper Hoffman, Ghent University  Intro music: The Drama by Rafael Krux (used for education purposes under Creative Commons License).    This podcast series has been funded by the UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as part of the LSE Conflict Research Programme. The ideas expressed in the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the UK Government/FCDO.   

Conflict research as a subject area has often been prone to colonial mindsets and thinking. In a world in which power disparities between wealthy states and the former colonial world remain very large - indeed, often huge - there are significant structural imbalances of power between the the North and South. These are reflected in the resources available to the academic community. Privilege can often create regressive attitudes and mindsets, which reinforce and reproduce these power disparities.  In this episode, we introduce the Silent Voices Bukavu Project, a collaborative research project, based on the sharing of experiences and creation of dialogue, which has created an intellectual and cultural resource for the global academy. The project seeks to identify and share problems in order to promote and encourage collaborative best practices.   Featuring professor Koen Vlassenroot, Director of the Conflict Research Group at Ghent University, Emery Mudinga, the Director of Angaza Institute and Associate Professor at Higher Institute for Rural Development, Bukavu, and Irène Bahati, a Congolese researcher at the Study Group on Conflict and Human Security and Teacher at the Higher Pedagogical Institute of Bukavu.  Producers: Luke Cooper, Azaria Morgan Sound editor: Camilo Tirado  Intro music: The Drama by Rafael Krux (used for education purposes under Creative Commons License).    This podcast series has been funded by the UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as part of the LSE Conflict Research Programme. The ideas expressed in the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the UK Government/FCDO. 

The transition away from fossil fuels is one of the major questions facing humanity in this century. In many states globally, this is presented as both a necessity and opportunity: to create new and sustainable economies. But what happens if decarbonisation is forced on a state? In this podcast, we explore the 'peak oil' problem in South Sudan. As the country's reserves dwindle, and oil prices collapse, the extremely impoverished, oil dependent economy has faced a mounting and existential crisis. This is what the Conflict Research Programme calls, 'traumatic decarbonisation'. And it's been a central factor in the South Sudanese Civil War. Drawing on expert interviews and archive footage, Conflict Zone investigates this process and asks what can be done to address the on-going crisis.  Featuring Matthew Benson, director of the South Sudan team on the Conflict Research Programme, and Joshua Craze, a researcher with Tufts University who has been investigating the 'peak oil' crisis.  Producers: Luke Cooper, Azaria Morgan Sound editor: Camilo Tirado  Intro music: The Drama by Rafael Krux (used for education purposes under Creative Commons License).    This podcast series has been funded by the UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as part of the LSE Conflict Research Programme. The ideas expressed in the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the UK Government/FCDO. 

Somalia is one of the world's poorest countries. It has suffered from a problem of persistent, intractable violence since the 1980s. But there is a new, optimistic atmosphere around Somalia development. All indications are the country has significant oil reserves. Amongst many intellectuals and the Somali elite, there is considerable excitement at this prospect. Is this Somalia's once in a lifetime opportunity to forge a new path to prosperity?  In this podcast, we critically review the efforts undertaken to date to start tapping this oil wealth. We identify a problem of a lack of regulation and ask whether, given the global turn underway to renewable energy sources, this is the wrong time for Somalia to develop an oil industry.  Featuring Adtiya Sarkar, a researcher with the World Peace Foundation, Tufts University, Joakim Gundel, who has undertaken research and advocacy on the oil rush in Somalia, Mohamed Husein Gaas, a researcher in International Development, and Nisar Majid, the LSE Conflict Research Programme manager for the Somalia research team.  Producers: Luke Cooper, Azaria Morgan Sound editor: Ben Higgins Millner Intro music: The Drama by Rafael Krux (used for education purposes under Creative Commons License).   This podcast series has been funded by the UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as part of the LSE Conflict Research Programme. The ideas expressed in the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the UK Government/FCDO. 

Syria is often seen as a tragic case of "non-intervention". One of several examples of where the international community failed to protect civilians from violence and atrocities. But, while there is an element of truth in this view, it also begs many other difficult questions about the rights and wrongs of intervention in societies dealing with intractable violence.  In this podcast, we set out to challenge some of the assumptions in the existing debate. We argue that Syria has seen very wide ranging military interventions by a large number of foreign actors. It is simply wrong to see it as a case of "non-intervention", even from the West. And this poses a question around how interventions should be designed and undertaken.  We review the history of the Syrian conflict, the different turnings points in a brutal war, and argue humanitarian protection must be the key principle underpinning any external intervention.  Featuring Mary Kaldor, emeritus professor of Global Governance at the LSE and director of the Conflict Research Programme, and Mazen Gharibah and Zaki Mehchy, researchers on the LSE Syria Research Team.  Producers: Luke Cooper, Azaria Morgan Sound editor: Ben Higgins Millner Intro music: The Drama by Rafael Krux (used for education purposes under Creative Commons License).   This podcast series has been funded by the UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as part of the LSE Conflict Research Programme. The ideas expressed in the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the UK Government/FCDO. 

It can be hard not to get lost in the horror when studying societies experiencing violent conflict. And it can easily lead to the conclusion that 'nothing can be done'. Our findings on the Conflict Research Programme challenge this assessment by uncovering the presence of civic minded groups and individuals pushing for alternatives to exclusionary identity politics and the political marketplace. What's more we have also found local peace agreements to be a pervasive response to contemporary war. In this episode, we look at the role local deals can play in building a sustainable peace. We suggest caution in seeing these as a silver bullet to organised conflict, but identify the potentially positive role they can play if part of a citizens' and civil society grounded approach to peace building.  Drawing on evidence from Somalia, Iraq, Syria and South Sudan this podcast looks at the potential for local peace deals. Featuring Rim Turkmani, Director of the Syria Programme at LSE CCS, Martin Ochaya, lecturer and consultant research for the programme based in South Sudan, Dylan O’Driscoll, Research Fellow on the Iraq team, Kuyang Logo, a legal researcher on the South Sudan team, and Nisar Majid, manager of the Somalia Programme.  This podcast series has been funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as part of the Conflict Research Programme. Producers: Luke Cooper, Azaria Morgan Sound editor: Ben Higgins Millner Intro music: The Drama by Rafael Krux (used for education purposes under Creative Commons License).   

State violence and repression can be a particular problem in conflict and post-conflict societies. Constructing democratic and legitimate public authority is vital to overcome this. This means ensuring that the state is not a vehicle for rentier interest groups. And that the unique right to legitimately use force it enjoys is subject to democratic control.  This makes the reform of state security services, so that they work under legitimate public authorities, vital to bringing about a sustainable peace.  In this podcast we explore these issues and ask how security services can be reformed to work in the public good. We look at what lessons we can draw from the societies we study on the Conflict Research Programme and take a closer look at cases of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Featuring Sarah Detzner, a consultant based in Washington DC and a fellow at the World Peace Foundation, Michel Thill, PhD Fellow at Ghent University, and Mulugeta Berhe, a Senior Fellow with the World Peace Foundation and former Ethiopian politician.  This podcast series has been funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as part of the Conflict Research Programme. Producers: Luke Cooper, Azaria Morgan Sound editor: Ben Higgins Millner Intro music: The Drama by Rafael Krux (used for education purposes under Creative Commons License).