Predicting armed conflict: Time to adjust our expectations?

Science. 2017 Feb 3;355(6324):474-476. doi: 10.1126/science.aal4483. Epub 2017 Feb 2.

Abstract

This Essay provides an introduction to the general challenges of predicting political violence, particularly compared with predicting other types of events (such as earthquakes). What is possible? What is less realistic? We aim to debunk myths about predicting violence, as well as to illustrate the substantial progress in this field.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Armed Conflicts*
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Violence*