Intercommunal Warfare and Ethnic Peacemaking in Central Asia

Why do some urban neighborhoods descend into violence while others remain peaceful during ethnic conflicts? What role do local communities play in either fueling or mitigating communal violence? In Intercommunal Warfare and Ethnic Peacemaking, Joldon Kutmanaliev explores these critical questions through an in-depth study of the 2010 Kyrgyz- Uzbek clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan—the most intense episode of urban communal violence in modern Central Asian history.

Drawing on extensive field research in several cities and a novel theoretical approach, the book examines the micro-dynamics of urban violence, emphasizing the interplay between deteriorating security environments, interethnic fears, and the urban landscape. This research reveals that patterns of violence are not random; rather, they are shaped by the social and spatial structures of urban neighborhoods, the presence of local leadership, and the ability of communities to negotiate non-aggression pacts. While some neighborhoods experienced severe armed clashes, others remained relatively peaceful due to proactive local peacemaking efforts.

Through a comparative neighborhood-level analysis, the book highlights two key mechanisms of ethnic peacemaking: intergroup non-aggression agreements and in-group policing. It argues that while state security forces often fail to prevent violence, local actors—including informal leaders and community networks—can play a decisive role in conflict prevention. These insights challenge dominant state-level and macro-scale studies on ethnic conflict and, instead demonstrate how local agency can shape the dynamics of conflict and variation in outcomes – peace or violence.

By bridging political violence studies with urban sociology and conflict resolution, Intercommunal Warfare and Ethnic Peacemaking contributes to broader debates on ethnic conflict, communal violence, and post-conflict governance. Its findings have critical implications for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working on ethnic conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and urban security, not only in Central Asia but in divided cities worldwide.

This talk will present the core arguments of Intercommunal Warfare and Ethnic Peacemaking and discuss the broader relevance of its findings. It will be of interest to scholars of Central Asia, conflict studies, and urban politics, as well as members of the public concerned with interethnic relations and peacebuilding efforts in post-Soviet and global contexts.