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We are pleased to announce the release of the Inaugural Issue of Stability: International Journal of Security & Development. Thematically, Stability provides evidence and policy analysis relevant to interventions aimed at ending conflicts, preventing conflict recurrence, mitigating other forms of violence, including organised and urban criminality, and fostering peace. While the notion of “stability” or “stabilisation” has become controversial in some circles, we use this language not to promote a regressive notion of stability-as-status-quo but rather to raise important questions: How can a durable form of stability be achieved through not only coercion and force but more importantly and more justly through effective governance, equitable social and economic development, accountable and trusted security and justice institutions and the amelioration of structural and proximate drivers of violence?
While numerous journals are released each year, this publication differs from most. First, Stability adheres to open-access publishing principles which began gaining increased attention during the so-called “Academic Spring”. As such, all articles are fully free to access online. Second, the journal is online only, like many emerging journals. Though, where many online journals have tended to emphasise quantity over quality, we adhere to rigorous peer-review standards and are registered fully as a scholarly journal. Third, despite our adherence to the highest academic standards, Stability also welcomes more “applied” contributions from experienced policymakers and practitioners. Fourth, we not only encourage contributions from policymakers and practitioners – such as UN personnel, NGO project managers, peacekeepers, donor representatives and others – but we also make sure to disseminate our content to such communities. Articles will be injected directly into databases, websites and relevant communities of practice. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Stability is actively seeking out contributors from developing and violence-affected countries.
The first issue contains the following articles:
"Editors' Forword: Introducing Stabilty", Robert Muggah, Steven A. Zyck and Mark Downes
"Slip-Sliding on a Yellow Brick Road: Stabilization Efforts in Afghanistan", Vanda Felbab-Brown
"Against Stabilization", Roger Mac Ginty
"From Insurgency to Bureaucracy: Free Aceh Movement, Aceh Party and the New Face of Conflict", Mohammad Hasan Ansori
"Catalysts and Networks for Stability", MGen Andy Salmon
"Globalisation With A Twist: Stability, Volatility and Fragility All in One", Alexandra Trzeciak-Duval & Erwin van Veen
"Interim stabilisation in fragile security settings", Nat J. Colletta
"Reviewing the justice and security hub modality as piloted in Liberia", Rory Keane
"What If the FARC Demobilizes?", Enzo Nussio & Kimberly Howe
"Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Prevention: Obstacles and Opportunities", Steven A. Zyck & Robert Muggah
"Book Review: Understanding Security Practices in South Asia", Zulfiqar Ali
Stability believes these contributions will set us in a right direction as we proceed to publish three issues per year at this stage. We could not have reached this point without the support of an accomplished and actively engaged editorial board, which includes: Etannibi Alemika (University of Jos, Nigeria), Sultan Barakat (University of York), Nora Bensahel (Center for a New American Security), Thomas Biersteker (The Graduate Institute), Sarah Cliffe (United Nations), Mary Kaldor (London School of Economics), Clare Lockhart (Institute for State Effectiveness), Gary Milante (World Bank), 'Funmi Olonisakin (King's College London) and Peter Walker (Tufts University). The journal is edited by Robert Muggah (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro), Steven A. Zyck (University of York) and Mark Downes (Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces).
We welcome readers to read the first issue and researchers as well as experienced policymakers and practitioners to consider contributing after reviewing our Call for Papers. The Inaugural Issue and further information can be found at www.stabilityjournal.org, where you can also sign up to become a peer reviewer, join our mailing list and learn more about our aims, objectives and publishing model.
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