Focuses on mediation at three different levels of analysis: between countries, between governments and armed actors inside single countries, and between different communities. In applying this holistic method, the editors identify similarities and differences in the conditions for conflict resolution and management.

Foreword: Mediation in the Arab World—I. William ZartmanIntroduction—Ibrahim Fraihat and Isak SvenssonPart I: General Trajectories and Challenges of Mediation in the Arab World1. Peace Agreements in the Middle East: A Regional Challenge to Mediation—Peter Wallensteen and Stina Högbladh2. The Impossible Mandate for Mediation: Exclusionary Approaches to Conflict Resolution in Libya, Syria, and Yemen— Laurie Nathan3. Current Challenges in Utilizing National Dialogue Mechanisms in Arab Local Political Context—Mohammed Abu-NimerPart II: Mediation in or by Arab Countries4. UN Mediation in the Syrian Crisis: From Kofi Annan through Lakhdar Brahimi to Staffan de Mistura—I. William Zartman5. Mediation in Syria, 2016-19: A Tale of Two Processes—Magnus Lundgren6. Exploring United Nations Mediation Efforts in Yemen (2011–2019)—Alma Abdul-Hadi-Jadallah7. The Legitimacy Puzzle in the UN Mediation of the Libyan Conflict—Mohammed Cherkaoui8. International Mediation in the Wake of a Failed Peace Agreement: Post-Agreement Mediation to Resolve the Civil War in Darfur—Allard Duursma9. When Do Mediators Say ‘No’: American Resistance to Mediating the Gulf Diplomatic Crisis—Siniša Vukovic and Danielle Martin10. The Intra-Palestinian Dialogue 2007-2017: A Negotiated Disagreement?—Love Calissendorff and Mimmi Söderberg Kovacs11. Omani Mediation Diplomacy and the Concept of Concealment "Kitman"—Najla El-Mangoush12. American Mediation in the Middle East Conflict: A House Built on Sand—Ghassan KhatibPart III: Local Level-Mediation in the Arab World13. Paths to Inclusion: Civil Society Involvement during the Peace Process in Algeria—Desirée Nilsson and Luís Martínez Lorenzo14. Mediation between Sunni and Shi?a Arabs in Iraq: Attempts, Assessment, and Adversity in Mediating in Post-2003—Massaab al-Aloosy15. Hybrid Conflict Resolution and Justice in South West State, Somalia—Mary Hope SchwoebelConcluding Discussion—Ibrahim Fraihat and Isak Svensson

A volume of major importance, both in its academic significance and contribution to the field of mediation and conflict resolution studies, and in its direct policy relevance for the resolution and management of conflicts in the Arab world." - Gerd Nonneman, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University