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We highlight how efforts to collect systematic data on conflict have helped foster progress in peace and conflict research. The Journal of Peace Research has played a key role in these developments, and has become a leading outlet for the new wave of disaggregated conflict data. We survey progress in the development of conflict data and how this interacts with theory development and progress in research, drawing specifically on examples from the move towards a greater focus on disaggregation and agency in conflict research. We focus on disaggregation in three specific dimensions, namely the resolution of conflict data, agency in conflict data, and the specific strategies used in conflict, and we also discuss new efforts to study conflict processes beyond the use of violence. We look ahead to new challenges in conflict research and how data developments and the emergence of 'big data' push us to think harder about types of conflict, agency, and the 'right' level of aggregation for querying data and evaluating specific theories. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright holder.]

We highlight how efforts to collect systematic data on conflict have helped foster progress in peace and conflict research. The Journal of Peace Research has played a key role in these developments, and has become a leading outlet for the new wave of disaggregated conflict data. We survey progress in the development of conflict data and how this interacts with theory development and progress in research, drawing specifically on examples from the move towards a greater focus on disaggregation and agency in conflict research. We focus on disaggregation in three specific dimensions, namely the resolution of conflict data, agency in conflict data, and the specific strategies used in conflict, and we also discuss new efforts to study conflict processes beyond the use of violence. We look ahead to new challenges in conflict research and how data developments and the emergence of 'big data' push us to think harder about types of conflict, agency, and the 'right' level of aggregation for querying data and evaluating specific theories.

A review essay on books by (1) John Paul Lederach, Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies (Washington, DC: USIP, 1997); (2) Ho-Won Jeong (Ed), Conflict Resolution Dynamics, Process and Structure (Aldershot & Brookfield: Ashgate, 1999); (3) Hakan Wiberg & Christian P. Scherrer (Eds), Ethnicity and Intra-State Conflict: Types, Causes and Peace Strategies (Aldershot & Brookfield: Ashgate, 1999); & (4) Johan Galtung & Carl G. Jacobsen, Searching for Peace: The Road to TRANSCEND (London: Pluto, 2000). These books demonstrate the current status of peace & conflict studies. Differences are pointed out between the philosophically oriented Nordic school of peace research & the empirically based North American approach. Lederach, a leader of the North American School, emphasizes inclusive peace-building involving conflict analysis at all levels, ideally before violent conflict erupts. However, he fails to sufficiently explore some difficult aspects of conflict resolution, such as how grass roots endeavors can be incorporated into wider peacemaking efforts. The volume edited by Jeong offers additional insights into the North American school's thinking & attempts to manage conflict by embracing diversity. The book edited by Wiberg & Scherrer provides an excellent overview of theoretical perspectives within the Nordic school, in spite of a flat prose style & limited case studies. The easy-to-read text edited by Galtung & Jacobsen, which promotes the new philosophical approach to peacemaking known as TRANSCEND, will interest lay people but is of limited relevance to more advanced academicians. J. Lindroth

Advances in science and technology, including information technology (IT), play a crucial role in the context of peace and security. However, research on the intersection of peace and conflict research as well as computer science is not well established yet. This article highlights the need for further work in the area of research "IT peace research", which includes both empirical research on the role of IT in peace and security, as well as technical research to design technologies and applications. Based on the elaboration of the disciplines, central challenges, such as insecurity, actors, attribution and laws, are outlined.

1. SUBMARINE INCURSIONS IN OCTOBER 1982 FOREIGN SUBMARINES PENETRATED THE WATERS OF THE SWEDISH NAVAL BASE AT MUSKO IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO. IN THE FOLLOWING ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE (ASW) OPERATIONS, THE SWEDISH NAVY FOR THE FIRST TIME TRIED TO TRAP A SUBMARINE AND FORCE IT TO THE SURFACE. THE INCIDENT, KNOWN AS THE HARSFJARDEN INCIDENT, ENDED WITH THE FAILURE OF THE SWEDISH NAVY TO PREVENT THE SUBMARINE OR SUBMARINES FROM ESCAPING. THE HARSFJARDEN INCIDENT WAS NO SINGLE OCCURRENCE. AFTER THE STRANDING OF THE SOVIET SUBMARINE U-137 NEAR THE KARLSKRONA NAVAL BASE IN OCTOBER 1981, SWEDEN EXPERIENCED A SHARP INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DETECTED SUBMARINE INCIDENTS.1 TO SOME EXTENT THIS INCREASE COULD PROBABLY BE EXPLAINED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF IMPROVED SURVEILLANCE, BUT THERE WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT CHANGE IN THE NATURE OF THE INCURSIONS. WHEREAS PREVIOUSLY SUBMARINES HAD LEFT SWEDISH WATERS UPON WARNING, THIS TIME THE INTRUDERS OPERATING SEVERAL TOGETHER, DID NOT LEAVE BUT RESORTED TO EVASIVE ACTION. ALSO THE SUBMARINES APPEARED IN SUCH AREAS AND DURING SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THEY COULD EVEN BE SUSPECTED OF HAVING THE DELIBERATE INTENTION TO BE DETECTED AND HUNTED.

'REGRETTABLY, THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS HITERTO REACHED HAVE NOT HALTED THE ARMS RACE OR REDUCED THE MILITARY POTENTIAL OF STATES. IN MANY CASES, THE WEAPONS PROHIBITED HAVE HAD LITTLE, IF ANY, MILITARY IMPORTANCE, AND THE OUTLAWED ACTIVITIES HAVE NEVER BEEN SERIOUSLY CONTEMPLATED AS METHODS OF WAR. NEGOTIATIONS ON MEASURES WHICH COULD MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ARMS SITUATION IN THE WORLD HAVE STAGNATED FOR YEARS. THUS, DURING THE PAST DECADE, VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE IN THE FIELD OF NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL, EVEN THOUGH THE REMOVAL OF THE THREAT OF NUCLEAR WAR IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST URGENT TASK OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.' SIPRI, AGREEMENTS FOR ARMS CONTROL: A CRITICAL SURVEY, 1982, P. 355. 1. DISARMAMENT NEGOTIATIONS - A DREAM THAT CAME FALSE EVERYONE CONCERNED WITH INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PROBLEMS KNOWS IT - DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL NEGOTIATIONS HAVE NOT HALTED THE ARMS RACE. IN A FEW CASES, NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS MAY HAVE SLOWED DOWN THE RATE OF ARMAMENT, WHILE IN MANY MORE CASES THEY HAVE SIMPLY CONTRIBUTED TO QUALITATIVE BUILD-UPS IN WAYS BENEFICIAL TO THE NEGOTIATING PARTIES BUT HARDLY TO THE REST OF THE WORLD. AT THE SAME TIME, DISARMEMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND HOPED-FOR AGREEMENTS ARE CHARACTERIZED AS 'THE HOPE OF SURVIVAL OF MANKIND'. AND THE ONLY ONE, IT SHOULD BE ADDED. NEGOTIATIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO LEAD TO THE OVERALL GOAL OF GENERAL AND COMPLETE DISARMAMENT SUPPORTED, IN PRINCIPLE AT LEAST, BY VIRTUALLY ALL GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLPY: 1983