In November last year, a near three-decade-old ceasefire in the disputed region of Western Sahara was broken, and war resumed. This territory has been a tinderbox of conflict since Spain decolonised in 1975. What are the roots of this conflict? Why has conflict reignited? What are the potential pathways to a resolution? Doug Becker speaks with R. Joey Huddleston, Randi Irwin, Stephen Zunes and Jacob Mundy.

R. Joseph Huddleston is an Assistant Professor in Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. He is an expert in Middle East politics.

Randi Irwin is a Casual Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Newcastle.

Stephen Zunes is a Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of San Francisco. He is an expert in Middle East and North African politics and is the author of Tinderbox: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Roots of Terrorism.

Jacob Mundy is an Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Colgate University. He is an expert in critical security studies and is the co-author of Western Sahara: War, Nationalism, and Conflict Irresolution.

Podcast:

 

This interview originally aired on the Scholars’ Circle. To access our archive of episodes and download this interview, click here.

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Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this discussion reflect the views of the guests and not necessarily the views of The Big Q. 

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