Since World War II, civil wars have replaced interstate wars as the most frequent and deadly form of armed conflict globally. In this timely book, leading scholars guide us through what the latest research has to tell us about civil war onset, the duration and outcomes of civil wars, the recurrence of civil wars, and the consequences of conflict in war-torn countries, such as Syria, Sudan, and Rwanda. This authoritative text offers both an accessible and current overview of current knowledge and an agenda for future research. -- Back cover.