Which of the following represents a risk factor that can derail peace talks?

• A. Broad consensus among all parties
• B. Spoilers such as extremists or external backers undermining trust
• C. Immediate comprehensive agreement
• D. Strong economic growth opportunity

Answer: (B)

Trust and credible commitment are crucial in peace talks. When spoilers—extremists or external backers—undermine trust, negotiators worry that any agreement won’t be honored or enforced. These actors can incite violence, manipulate information, or pressuring factions to walk away, which makes parties hesitant to make concessions. That erosion of confidence increases the likelihood that talks stall, collapse, or never start in the first place. In this context, spoilers who undermine trust are the clearest risk to derail negotiations.

By contrast, broad consensus among all parties supports progress, not derailment. An immediate comprehensive agreement is often unrealistic and can backfire if it’s seen as rushed or untenable. A strong economic growth opportunity generally provides incentives to settle and maintain peace, rather than disrupt talks. So the disruptor that most directly threatens the negotiation process is those who sow distrust and try to derail the process from the outside.