S2E28: The Complexities of Ceasefire Deals with Marika Sosnowski

Brian explores the legal and practical concepts of ceasefire deals with Marika Sosnowski, an Australian-qualified lawyer, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Melbourne Law School and a Research Associate at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Hamburg. She works as a legal anthropologist with primary research interests in the fields of critical security studies (mainly ceasefires), local/rebel governance and legal systems, particularly issues around citizenship and belonging.

In this conversation, Marika Sosnowski discusses the complexities of ceasefires, their definitions, historical context, and implications for governance in conflict zones. She emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of the ceasefire concept, the extra-ordinary challenges in negotiating them, and the importance of considering the local dynamics and consequences of these agreements. The discussion also highlights the role of governance structures post-ceasefire and the unintended consequences that can arise from attempts to restore order. Marika discusses the complexities of implementing ceasefires in conflict zones, emphasizing the lack of sanctions for breaking them and the often ineffective monitoring mechanisms. Brian and Marika explore the implications of ceasefires on peace agreements, the role of local leaders, and the impact of age and experience on negotiation. The discussion also delves into the resilience of individuals in conflict, the importance of empathy in negotiations, and the misconceptions surrounding ceasefires and their effects on communities.

Marika's academic work has been published in Citizenship Studies, International Studies Quarterly, the Leiden Journal of International Law and Civil Wars among others. Her first book Redefining Ceasefires: Wartime Order and Statebuilding in Syria came out in June 2023 with Cambridge University Press. For this book, and other associated work, she was unanimously awarded the University of Melbourne's prestigious 2024 Woodward Medal in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. 

She has also published a range of more public-facing work including for AllegraLab, al Jumhuriya, Middle East Eye, the Lieber Institute West Point, The Conversation, The Atlantic Council and the Washington Institute.

To learn more about Marika and her work:

• Book: Redefining Ceasefires: Wartime Order and Statebuilding in Syria (Amazon link for Kindle readers)
• Websites: https://marikasosnowski.com/ and https://law.unimelb.edu.au/about/staff/marika-sosnowski
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