His research explores the causes and consequences of conflict, crime and political violence in weak states, with a focus on the effects of civil war on state formation, and the impact of international peacebuilding and state-building programs. His current book project examines efforts to restructure police and military forces in war-torn countries, focusing on how political context in war-torn countries shapes the effects of foreign assistance efforts. It is based on field work in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Timor Leste. He has also published research, and on the politics of urban violence and organized crime in Central America, and on justice system and rule of law development in conflict-affected countries.