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This analysis examines the link between 'indirect rivalry factors' — situations in which states are neighbors of direct US rivals, and/or states that share rivalries in common with the US - and allocations of foreign aid to shed light on the impact of strategic calculations on a key area of foreign policy behavior. Blending literatures on rivalry/conflict and foreign aid, the study is situated in the relevant prior work and a theory is developed that links indirect rivalry factors with allocations of foreign aid. It is argued that indirect rivalry factors are likely to affect a state's foreign assistance as states in a rivalry strategically allocate aid to create friends and isolate their targeted rivals. In particular, it is argued that donors direct greater amounts of aid to (i) other states involved in a rivalry with the donor's rivals (rivalries in common, or 'rivals of my rival' effects) and (ii) states within the geographic region in which the donor's existing rivals are situated (neighborhood effects, or 'neighbors of rivals'). Hypotheses on the effects of these indirect rivalry factors on aid allocations are developed and then tested empirically against US foreign aid allocations from 1962 to 2000. The results lend support to the authors' theory of indirect rivalry factors and their impact on aid allocation.

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the impact of non-governmental (NGO) and other civil society organizations on the creation, implementation, and durability of a peace agreement following a civil war. A most similar systems comparative study of three conflicts in Southeast Asia—Aceh, Indonesia; Mindanao, Philippines; and the Tamil separatist war in Sri Lanka—examined the level of impact of NGO and other civil society activities on the peace processes in those conflicts. Findings and Conclusions: NGOs and civil society organizations employ a variety of techniques to shape the peace process toward an enduring agreement. Civil society in a region that is representative of the broader public and unified in its aims for peace is most likely to have an impact on the peace process. Early and sustained engagement with the public and international community leverages NGO influence over peace negotiations. Partnerships between international NGOs and local organizations also increase the likelihood that a peace agreement will be implemented and remain in force.