This article examines the strengths and weaknesses of the peace system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It views peace not merely as the absence of direct violence but as the result of institutions and systems that mitigate, defuse, and diminish conflict. The peace system of MENA operates at multiple scales and deals with multiple kinds of violent conflict. Different system components produce different forms of positive and negative peace through both formal and informal institutional channels. Consequently, peace in MENA is often uneven and unstable, with progress in one dimension coming at the expense of another. Understanding the gaps and inconsistencies within the MENA peace system can help devise a more realistic and feasible approach to conflict resolution rather than abstract and ultimately impractical ideals. The article identifies shortcomings in the current explanations for the frequency of war, explores the idea of a regional peace system that operates in regional and domestic arenas both formally and informally, and examines policy measures that might bolster or undercut the MENA peace system.

中文翻译：

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寻找中东和北非和平体系

本文探讨了中东和北非 (MENA) 和平体系的优势和劣势。它认为和平不仅是没有直接暴力，而且是减轻、化解和减少冲突的机构和系统的结果。中东和北非地区的和平体系在多个层面上运作，并处理多种类型的暴力冲突。不同的制度组成部分通过正式和非正式的制度渠道产生不同形式的积极和平和消极和平。因此，中东和北非地区的和平往往是不平衡和不稳定的，某一方面的进步是以牺牲另一方面为代价的。了解中东和北非和平体系内的差距和不一致之处有助于制定更现实、更可行的冲突解决方法，而不是抽象且最终不切实际的理想。本文指出了当前对战争频率解释的缺陷，探讨了在区域和国内舞台上正式和非正式运作的区域和平体系的想法，并研究了可能加强或削弱中东和北非和平体系的政策措施。