cutting-edge research into peace, conflict,
and international security

In our time of rapid change, the risks of major violent conflict are rising. The need to prevent unnecessary human suffering calls for a deeper scholarly understanding of the causes, consequences, and dynamics of violence, and for an elaboration of new measures to foster international cooperation. These are the main goals of our interdisciplinary Center of Excellence, funded by Charles University.

Our Peace Research Center Prague team is comprised of renowned scholars on various topic surrounding international security, such as arms control, nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation or public-elite opinion gaps. We cover the majority of conflict areas around the world, such as Russia and Ukraine, the Middle East or China and Taiwan.

 
Featured
New article: How did the U.S. reassure the public during the Russo-Ukrainian war?
New article: How did the U.S. reassure the public during the Russo-Ukrainian war?

Lauren Sukin and colleagues show that U.S. restraint in the Russo-Ukrainian reassured allies and partners more than displays of force. Based on novel data from a survey of 27 250 people in 24 countries, the study finds that caution and indirect support boosted trust, challenging assumptions favoring military resolve.

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New article on narrative research in International Relations
New article on narrative research in International Relations

Zuzana Krulichová’s new article in Cooperation and Conflict reviews narrative approaches in IR, distinguishing between agency-centric and structure-centric perspectives. She calls for more focus on their interaction, noting that longitudinal or historical studies could sharpen analysis and theory.

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New policy paper on Israel, Gaza, and the failure of Czech human rights policy
New policy paper on Israel, Gaza, and the failure of Czech human rights policy

Michal Smetana and Daniel Prokop’s policy brief examines the Czech Republic’s uncritical support for Israel during the Gaza conflict, despite mounting evidence of severe violations of international law. They argue that this selective approach undermines Czechia’s human rights credibility, fuels dehumanization, and aligns the country with extremist policies opposed even within Israel.

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New article on democracy and state support for arms control
New article on democracy and state support for arms control

Tobias Risse’s first global quantitative study of the relationship between states’ level of liberal democracy and their support for arms control finds that democracies back conventional arms control regardless of the initiator but support nuclear control only if led by democracies.

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New article on public support for arms control in the third nuclear age
New article on public support for arms control in the third nuclear age

Michal Smetana, Marek Vranka, and Ondřej Rosendorf explore public support for arms control in the third nuclear age, arguing its complexity lowers awareness. People rely on simple heuristics, making opinions elastic and open to “elite cues” from experts and politicians shaping attitudes.

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Our Ph.D. student Zakir Rzazade was awarded the EISS Best Paper Prize
Our Ph.D. student Zakir Rzazade was awarded the EISS Best Paper Prize

We are thrilled to share that Zakir Rzazade has been awarded the Best Paper Prize for Ph.D. students and early-career scholars at this year’s European Initiative for Security Studies (EISS) annual conference. Congratulations, Zakir!

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Featured
TO JE KRIZE II
Sep 24
TO JE KRIZE II

Zveme vás na další večer plný debat ve Vile Štvanice! Čtyři panely o klimatických mýtech, oligarchizaci politiky, českém přístupu k Izraeli a Palestině a o morálce ve válečných konfliktech. Po diskusích následuje afterparty s DJ setem. Akce je bez registrace.

PRCP Talk | Mariya Grinberg
Oct 21
PRCP Talk | Mariya Grinberg

Join us for a PRCP Talk with Mariya Grinberg (MIT) on her new book Trade in War: Economic Cooperation across Enemy Lines (Cornell, 2025), exploring why states trade with enemies. October 21st at Charles University, Jinonice campus (U Kříže 8, Prague 5).

PRCP Talk | Heidi Hardt
Oct 21
PRCP Talk | Heidi Hardt

Join us for a PRCP Talk with Prof. Heidi Hardt (University of California) on the methodology of elite interviews and elite surveys/experiments. Reserved for Ph.D. and Master students of the FSV UK. October 21st 17:00 at Charles University, Jinonice campus (U Kříže 8, Prague 5).