ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the central hypothesis and sub-hypotheses and describes the basic concepts and variables of the study. It provides a causal connection of the variables. The chapter also presents a comparative analysis of the definitions of protracted conflicts as studied by the scholars. It also provides a new, more comprehensive definition of Protracted Conflict (PC). The chapter focuses on nuclear proliferation in the protracted conflict regions and the explanatory variable examined is the 'higher-than-normal war-probability' in protracted conflicts. The intervening variable is the 'search for a deterrent capability'. The chapter explains how these variables are operationalized. It argues that a deductive theory is necessary for a better understanding of the causes of PC proliferation and that a comparative case-study offers the best methodology to test the hypotheses. The selection of the PC cases from South Asia and the Middle East has also been justified.
