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. Music credit: 🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺

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. Music credit: 🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺

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. Music credit: 🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺