The missing ingredient in every peace deal | Hiba Qasas

Traditional peacebuilding often fails because it prioritizes empathy and dialogue over the underlying power dynamics and political incentives that sustain conflict. By shifting toward "principled pragmatism," mediators can build more durable agreements that address the tangible needs of security, dignity, and economic stability. The "STIR" framework—Self-interest, Transaction, Recognition, and Humanity—provides a sequence for engagement that begins with shared survival rather than moral agreement. Hiba Qasas, founder of the Principles for Peace Foundation, demonstrates this approach by mobilizing a coalition of over 550 Israeli and Palestinian leaders who prioritize political solutions over ideological narratives. This strategy emphasizes engaging influential "grass tops" to create sustainable change, arguing that in an era where war is increasingly treated as a reflex, peace must be built on the hard-headed recognition of mutual self-interest before emotional reconciliation can occur.