“Ceasefires are pivotal yet understudied components of peace processes. This book fills a crucial gap in our understanding, offering a comprehensive analysis enriched by the firsthand experiences of practitioners. Essential reading for practitioners and scholars alike.” —Martin Griffiths, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, United Nations

“This is precisely the book we need right now. Negotiators and scholars join forces to identify when and how ceasefires work to promote peace. As they demonstrate in nine well-structured and comprehensive case studies of contemporary peace processes, ceasefires can be ineffective, even counterproductive, but can also lay the basis for fruitful peace dialogue. An essential read, this will be the standard reference for those seeking to understand peace processes and ceasefires in years to come.” —Isak Svensson, Dag Hammarskjöld Professor in Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University

“This timely volume reminds us that ceasefires are a necessary but not sufficient part of the broader political process required to bring violent conflict to a sustainable end. Practitioners and academics alike will benefit from finely nuanced case studies and the practical conclusions, especially around sequencing, derived from them.” —Teresa Whitfield, former director, Policy and Mediation Division, UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs

“In an increasingly violent and complex world, this is an important and timely book that should be studied by mediation practitioners and academics alike. Drawing on a deep and expert bench, including several high-level national and international mediators, it provides invaluable insights and lessons learned about the relationship between ceasefires and political processes.”  —Stephanie Williams, former special adviser to the UN secretary-general on Libya