Barbara F. Walter's article explores why civil wars rarely end in negotiated settlements. Unlike interstate wars, civil wars seldom result in peace agreements because the combatants cannot credibly commit to the terms of any treaty. This is due to the lack of a legitimate government or legal institutions to enforce agreements, making it difficult for combatants to disarm and disengage from the conflict. When a third party intervenes to guarantee the terms of a peace treaty, negotiations are more likely to succeed. The article argues that civil war negotiations fail because the parties cannot credibly promise to abide by the terms of the agreement. The article also discusses alternative explanations for why civil wars end decisively, such as high costs, indivisible stakes, and group identity. However, the author argues that the key issue is the lack of credible commitments. The article concludes that outside intervention is crucial for successful civil war resolution. The author tested various theories against forty-one civil war cases and found that third-party guarantees were the most important factor in successful settlements. The article also discusses the conditions under which negotiated solutions can be implemented and maintained. The author argues that civil war resolution is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the unique challenges faced by combatants in a conflict without a legitimate government or legal institutions.Barbara F. Walter's article explores why civil wars rarely end in negotiated settlements. Unlike interstate wars, civil wars seldom result in peace agreements because the combatants cannot credibly commit to the terms of any treaty. This is due to the lack of a legitimate government or legal institutions to enforce agreements, making it difficult for combatants to disarm and disengage from the conflict. When a third party intervenes to guarantee the terms of a peace treaty, negotiations are more likely to succeed. The article argues that civil war negotiations fail because the parties cannot credibly promise to abide by the terms of the agreement. The article also discusses alternative explanations for why civil wars end decisively, such as high costs, indivisible stakes, and group identity. However, the author argues that the key issue is the lack of credible commitments. The article concludes that outside intervention is crucial for successful civil war resolution. The author tested various theories against forty-one civil war cases and found that third-party guarantees were the most important factor in successful settlements. The article also discusses the conditions under which negotiated solutions can be implemented and maintained. The author argues that civil war resolution is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the unique challenges faced by combatants in a conflict without a legitimate government or legal institutions.