Monash University
My PhD looks at why the Colombian government shifted between COIN and negotiation with FARC in Colombia. Specifically, I look at insurgent legitimation strategies in Colombia and how they influence government response, including FARC and ELN's urban networks and covert political structures. I am also the Colombia and Mexico consultant for the IISS' Armed Conflict Database. For Mexico, I examine cartel violence and humanitarian, political and military trends. I am also on the editorial for the journal, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism
• Phelan, A. (2018), “Engaging insurgency: The Impact of the 2016 Colombian Peace Agreement on FARC’s Political Participation”, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Vol 0, Iss. Jan, https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/qzcMiypITsYrxT8KtI8T/full
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (2018) Chapter Eight: Latin America, Armed Conflict Survey, 4:1, 323-348 (Colombia author)
Select Publications for Professional Outlets-
• Phelan, A. (2018), “Human Rights Defenders Assassinated in Colombia”, AIIA’s Australian Outlook, April 17
• Phelan, A. (2017), “The FARC’s Transition to Colombian Democracy”, AIIA’s Australian Outlook, September 12
• Phelan, A. (2017), “Insurgent Feminism and Colombia’s New Peace”, AIIA’s Australian Outlook, July 26
• Phelan, A. (2017), “Mapping the Pursuit of the Combination of All Forms of Struggle: How Colombia’s Peace Agreement Complements FARC’s Political Strategy”, Small Wars Journal, Feb 19
• Phelan, A (2016), “Colombia Votes No: But Is All Really Lost?”, AIIA’s Australian Outlook, Oct 4
• Alvarez, C and Phelan, A (2016), “Peace Talks in Colombia: another U-Turn?”, APSI’s The Strategist, Mar 22
• Phelan, A (2014), “Peace in the Philippines: but what next for the MILF?”, The Conversation, April 10
• Phelan, A (2013), “Pablo Escobar and the Legacy of Drug Warfare in Latin America”, The Conversation, Nov 13
• Phelan, A (2013), “Colombia’s Crunch Time: is the War with the FARC coming to an end?”, The Conversation, Nov 13
• Phelan, A (2013), “Black Widow, White Widow: why do female terrorist perplex us?”, The Conversation, Sep 26