Intractable Conflicts

Intractable conflicts still rage around the world between societies and nations, such as in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, and the Middle East. These conflicts are of high intensity, prolonged, violent, and perceived as irresolvable for the involved societies. Conflicts usually erupt between societies or nations when the parties perceive their objectives, actions, or intentions to be in opposition, and they decide to act accordingly. They concern real issues like territories, natural resources, and so on that have to be addressed in conflict resolution. But in cases of intractable conflicts, the issues often persevere due to a sociopsychological infrastructure that serves as a barrier to their peaceful resolution. The sociopsychological infrastructure evolves as a coping mechanism in the face of the harsh reality but eventually leads to ...