Ori Goldstein

Conflict resolution researcher and mediator who has facilitated dialogue processes in Northern Ireland, Colombia, Cyprus, and Israel-Palestine. PhD in peace and conflict studies from Uppsala University. Born in Haifa, served in the IDF as a conscript, then spent the rest of his life trying to understand why the conflict he participated in seemed immune to resolution. Has mediated community-level disputes for 15 years and trained 500+ mediators. Writes about conflict resolution, peace processes, why negotiations fail, the psychology of intractable conflicts, and what Northern Ireland and Colombia can teach other post-conflict societies. Known for a piece called 'Why Peace Talks Fail' that analyzed 40 years of failed negotiations and identified the 5 patterns they all shared. Currently a senior fellow at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame. Plays oud badly and says it's the only instrument that both Israelis and Palestinians agree sounds better when someone else plays it.