What does rebuilding a country look like after dictatorship and war? In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio explore the legal foundations of post-conflict statebuilding.  From forming transitional institutions to writing a new constitution, they discuss what legal principles actually apply and how they can help post-conflict societies avoid falling back into repression.  How is legitimacy built after a regime falls? And what role should international actors play without taking over the process? With lessons from Kosovo, Sudan, Nepal, and Tunisia, tune in as they break down the legal foundations of rebuilding after war and the choices that will shape the next chapter of any post-conflict transition.

When the war ends, the real work begins.  Disarming fighters, dismantling militias, and rebuilding security institutions are some of the toughest and most politically charged tasks in any post-conflict transition.  In this episode, Heba Bawaieh sits down with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio to unpack the two pillars of post-war security: Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR).  Together, they explore how countries can move from war to peace without repeating the same cycles of violence.  What does meaningful reintegration look like in fragmented conflicts? Can abusive security forces be reformed or should they be dismantled entirely? And how do international legal standards shape who is included, who is held accountable, and who gets to carry weapons in the new state? With lessons from other transitions, this episode tackles the hard choices that define peace after the battlefield goes quiet.

Everyone says peacebuilding should be ‘inclusive.’ But what does that actually mean? Who gets to decide? In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in post-conflict transitions.  From peace negotiations to transitional justice to post-war governance, they examine how inclusion can either build a foundation for lasting peace or reinforce elite control under a new name.  Can inclusion be meaningful rather than just symbolic? Does sequencing participation help or hurt? And what models have worked, or failed, in places like South Africa, Nepal, Sudan, and Lebanon? With a spotlight on Syria’s unfolding transition, this episode digs into the stakes, trade-offs, and power struggles that define who gets a voice when war ends but politics begin.  Tune in for a deep dive into inclusion beyond the buzzwords.

When authoritarian regimes collapse and wars come to an end, one question looms over everything: What happens next? As Syria faces the task of rebuilding after years of war and dictatorship, difficult issues will emerge. From prosecuting war crimes to reforming security forces, from truth commissions to political reintegration, the road ahead is full of tough questions. Can justice and stability go hand in hand, or will one come at the expense of the other? What lessons can Syria draw from other post-conflict transitions? And how can Syrians ensure that justice is not just a slogan, but a foundation for lasting peace?

Peace agreements are meant to resolve conflicts, but what happens when they don’t hold? The Minsk Agreements were designed to bring stability to eastern Ukraine, yet they ultimately failed. Why did these agreements collapse? What role did international actors play in their design and implementation? And what lessons can be drawn from this experience? In this episode, host Heba Bawaieh speaks with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio to explore the complexities of the Minsk Agreements and their broader implications. They discuss how the agreements were structured, the challenges of implementation, and the political dynamics that shaped their fate.

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Now in its third year, the Russian war on Ukraine has devastated cities, displaced millions, and reshaped global security.  As the world searches for a path forward, peace proposals have emerged, each offering different visions for ending the war.  From President Zelenskyy’s 10-Point Plan to China’s 12-Point Framework, from the African Peace Mission’s principles to the Brazil-China collaborative initiative, each proposal seeks to define a path forward. But do they offer real solutions?  In this episode of PILPG's Lawyering Peace Hot Takes, host Heba Bawaieh speaks with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio to break down these peace plans, exploring their feasibility, limitations, and what they reveal about international diplomacy.  Which proposal, if any, stands a chance? And how might shifting global alliances influence their future? Tune in as we untangle the complex legal and political realities of ending the war in Ukraine.

What could a post-Assad Syria look like? In 2016, amid the chaos of war, Syria’s opposition united in Geneva to draft a visionary roadmap; a plan for democracy, justice, and institution rebuilding. Now, with the historic ousting of Bashar al-Assad, this blueprint takes on new relevance as Syrians face the challenge of shaping their future.

In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio explore how the opposition crafted this groundbreaking plan, what it entails, and if it remains a critical guide for navigating Syria’s new reality.

With challenges ahead and opportunities within reach, this episode reflects on a time when Syrians, as part of an eclectic and diverse opposition group, worked tirelessly for two years to craft a plan aimed at shaping their nation's future.

How did Sudan’s hopes for democracy spiral into the devastating conflict unfolding today? After the 2019 revolution that ousted Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s journey toward democracy seemed within reach. The Juba Peace Agreement offered a glimmer of hope, but Sudan’s deep-rooted challenges ultimately led to a devastating turn toward conflict.

Join Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio as they trace Sudan’s path from the ousting of Omar al-Bashir to today’s devastating conflict. They’ll unpack the transitional government’s challenges, the 2021 military coup, and the violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

This episode explores the promises of the Juba Peace Agreement, the challenges of civilian-military power-sharing, and international efforts to mediate peace. It also examines the lessons Sudan’s journey offers for global peacebuilding.

Can a peace agreement reshape a nation emerging from three decades under a dictatorship? After the fall of Omar al-Bashir, the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) of 2020 was unveiled with high hopes of correcting past failures.  This agreement sought more than just an end to conflict—it aimed to completely transform how Sudan is governed.  What sets the JPA apart from previous, unsuccessful efforts? And how can it possibly guide Sudan toward stability when distrust is widespread?

Join host Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio as they explore these pressing issues.  They will discuss the approaches taken during the JPA negotiations, key moments in the process, and the attempts made to establish a sustainable peace.   They will also evaluate the success or failure of the agreement based on the current situation in Sudan and offer insights into the broader implications for peacebuilding efforts for Sudan and worldwide.

 Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay

Imagine a courtroom where the world's most heinous crimes are supposed to be judged, yet only petty thieves stand trial. What happens when a peace agreement promises justice but delivers amnesty? This episode peels back the layers of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur of 2011, revealing the high stakes and hidden maneuvers behind an ambitious—and controversial—peace process.

Join host Heba Bawaieh, along with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio, seasoned peace negotiations lawyers who played direct roles in the Doha peace process. The discussion uncovers the dynamics that propelled the negotiations, the promises made within the agreement, and the complex challenges faced during its implementation. From power-sharing arrangements to justice for victims and security provisions, this episode sheds light on the successes and shortcomings of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, offering valuable lessons for current and future peace efforts worldwide.

Scott Buckley - Signal To Noise [Link to music] 

Africa Ethnic Background Music by Alexi Action [Link to music]