Observations from Dr. Joldon Kutmanaliev’s Book Presentation: Intercommunal Warfare and Ethnic Peacemaking in Central Asia

March 17, 2025

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On March 10, 2025, Dr. Joldon Kutmanaliev, a renowned researcher from Leuphana University and the University of Tübingen, presented his award-winning book, Intercommunal Warfare and Ethnic Peacemaking in Central Asia: The Dynamics of Urban Violence in Central Asia. The event offered a compelling exploration of how ethnic violence unfolds in urban settings and how it can be prevented.

Dr. Kutmanaliev focused on the June 2010 ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan, a case study that exemplifies both the potential for large-scale conflict and the mechanisms that can contain it. Unlike typical studies of civil wars, his work highlights instances where violence was prevented, offering a fresh perspective on conflict resolution. He compared the 2010 Kyrgyzstan violence—which resulted in 470 deaths—to historical riots in India, the U.S., and beyond, noting its similarities to ethnic conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

A key takeaway was the role of intercommunal pacts in preventing escalation. Dr. Kutmanaliev outlined three conditions for successful pacts: an external threat to elites, legitimate brokers to mediate, and a balance of power between groups. These factors, he argued, help mitigate the security dilemma by fostering trust and reducing uncertainty. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of intra-communal self-policing as a complementary peacekeeping mechanism.

The presentation also highlighted the significance of local dynamics in shaping violence. Urban landscapes, neighborhood-level interactions, and the role of local leaders were identified as critical factors in either spreading or containing conflict. Dr. Kutmanaliev’s spatial perspective on urban violence offers a new framework for understanding communal conflicts globally.

The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where attendees engaged with Dr. Kutmanaliev on the broader implications of his research. His work not only deepens our understanding of ethnic violence but also provides practical tools for conflict prevention, making it a valuable resource for scholars and policymakers alike.

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