ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a segue to the testing of hypotheses regarding the determinants of conflict hosting, the causes of conflict hot spots, and the potential consequences of these hot spots. It looks place hot spots in the context of observed patterns of spatial heterogeneity and dependence. The chapter lays out the basis of a location-based explanation for the observed distribution of conflict hosts globally. It develops an account of the emergence of conflict hot spots within a state's geographic neighborhood. The chapter regress indicators of democratic institutions, material capabilities, and neighborhood characteristics upon patterns of Militarized Interstate Dispute hosting. Instead, contend that characteristics at specific geographic locations and those of locations within the neighborhood are best conceived of as increasing or decreasing the likelihood with which a conflict will occur or a hot spot will emerge.
