This year marks two decades since the Dayton Accords – arguably one of the most successful international diplomatic efforts in ending a war in the post-Cold War era. Recent years have seen an escalation of crises and full-fledged civil wars in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Ukraine. There have been repeated calls for international diplomacy as the only viable solution to end these conflicts. What are the lessons from past diplomatic efforts and the implications for ongoing crises? What does it take to end a war? What is the role the United States should play?
Professor the Honourable Bob Carr, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at UTS Dr Gorana Grgic, lecturer in US politics and foreign policy, US Studies Centre Dr Meghan MacKenzie, senior lecturer at the Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Adjunct Associate Professor James Brown, Director of Alliance 21 at the US Studies Centre
John Barron, ABC journalist and US Studies Centre research associate