De facto states, such as Somaliland (Somalia), are unrecognized separatist enclaves that
display characteristics of statehood but lack an international legal status. To acquire …

Children are frequently turned into child soldiers or used as human shields in armed
conflicts. The use of child soldiers is condemned by all nations and is regarded as a grave …

Although armed conflicts and crises affect people of all ages, children are particularly
susceptible to the effects of war. One significant consequence of armed conflict that is …

Instead of attacking their adversaries directly, states often do so indirectly by supporting
rebel groups. While these support relationships vary considerably, existing research lacks a …

While some militant groups consistently target civilians, others only resort to violence in
specific locations and points in time. Existing research typically treats civilian targeting as a …

Environmental changes place severe pressure on individuals and societies. Vulnerable
segments of the population, especially children, are likely to be first affected. We examine …

The recruitment and use of children in armed conflict remains a prevalent feature of modern
civil war. But which conflict actors are more likely to recruit children? We argue that the …

Why do some rebel groups perpetrate sexual violence in armed conflict while others do not?
A growing literature explores factors impacting the occurrence of conflict-related sexual …

Recent research has drawn attention to the role of socialization in shaping the behaviors of
rebel combatants during civil wars. In particular, scholars have highlighted how vertical and …

Though previous research has recognized that armed groups do not always recruit fighters
on a voluntary basis, varieties and determinants of insurgent forced recruitment are still …