How local are local agreements? Shaping local agreements as a new form of third-party intervention in protracted conflicts

Based on two case studies from Syria, this article argues that unilateral external intervention in protracted conflicts is not only about military and financial support to one or other warring party. Unilateral actors often get involved the negotiation of local agreements, creating a hybrid form combines roles warfighting, mediation, policing. In context, are able transform their military, logistical states non-state armed groups into leverage negotiating power determines outcome negotiations, thereby gearing dynamics conflict towards own interests away agenda. This may, some circumstances, contribute an unjust uncertain stabilisation process, while it can undermine peace efforts. The clear implication need for greater role mandate multilateral actors.