It would be idle to assume that a single chapter can be a comprehensive guide to the gaps in the field of conflict studies.
The thirty-six chapters preceding this one summarize the knowledge in this field, and the gaps undoubtedly greatly exceed the knowledge. In addition, future research is likely to follow unforeseen theoretical directions, leaving a chapter like this one in the dust.
Nevertheless, I hope that this chapter will provide some guidance to those new to the field and some stimulation to seasoned scholars.The chapter may seem quite one-sided to those who follow traditions other than my own. But there is no way around this. What I find most exciting and can think about most clearly are research issues that fit into my way of looking at the field.
I have divided the chapter into five sections: Origins of Conflict, Strategic Choice, Escalation, Third-Party Roles, and Readiness for Conflict Resolution. In addition to identifying questions that need attention, I will present some possible directions for answering these questions and some testable hypotheses, and I will discuss some of the research methods that are needed to move ahead.