Jihadist Peace

'As Islamist conflicts continue to dominate global headlines, Nilsson and Svensson advance an original theory explaining why these wars are less likely to end, more prone to relapse, and especially resistant to negotiations. Drawing on both comparative analysis and rich case studies, they identify the characteristics that drive conflict persistence but also outline options for bringing these wars to a close. An essential read for both scholars and practitioners.'

Jerome Drevon, Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group and Research Fellow at the Geneva Graduate Institute

'Using the sharpest arrows in the political science quiver, Nilsson and Svensson take down a formidable foe: the toughest conflicts of our time. They assess their roots, quantify their danger, and show us how to isolate and eliminate them.'

Ron E. Hassner, Author of 'Religion on the Battlefield'

'Jihadist conflicts do come to an end, as this thorough and well-reasoned book assures us. Based on a multi-year global study, with deep dives into specific conflict cases, this analysis shows that the ideological and international structures of support for these movements may appear to be intractable, but shifting circumstances provide opportunities for change and resolution. This book is a major contribution to peace and conflict studies and deserves a wide reading by scholars, policy-makers, and anyone concerned with the role of religion in both warfare and peace.'

Mark Juergensmeyer, Author of 'When God Stops Fighting: How Religious Violence Ends'

'This book is a welcome addition to the study of Islamist conflicts. The authors must be commended for striking a balance between the acknowledgment of case specificities and the search for generalizable conclusions. The result is a nuanced and thorough research that eschews facile explanations and moves the needle of our collective knowledge on the subject.'

Marie-Joelle Zahar, Professor, Department of Political Science, Université de Montréal