John Ishiyama is University Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas, USA. His research focuses on political institutions, democratization, and post-civil war politics.

• Introduction to the special issue "From bullets to ballots: the transformation of rebel groups into political parties" 1. Political party formation by former armed opposition groups after civil war 2. Rebel-to-party transformations in civil war peace processes 1975–2011 3. Does political inclusion of rebel parties promote peace after civil conflict? 4. From victorious rebels to strong authoritarian parties: prospects for post-war democratization 5. The Guatemalan National Revolutionary unit: the long collapse 6. Rebel-to-political and back? Hamas as a security provider in Gaza between rebellion, politics and governance

John Ishiyama is University Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas, USA. His research focuses on political institutions, democratization, and post-civil war politics.

• Introduction to the special issue "From bullets to ballots: the transformation of rebel groups into political parties" 1. Political party formation by former armed opposition groups after civil war 2. Rebel-to-party transformations in civil war peace processes 1975–2011 3. Does political inclusion of rebel parties promote peace after civil conflict? 4. From victorious rebels to strong authoritarian parties: prospects for post-war democratization 5. The Guatemalan National Revolutionary unit: the long collapse 6. Rebel-to-political and back? Hamas as a security provider in Gaza between rebellion, politics and governance

John Ishiyama is University Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas, USA. His research focuses on political institutions, democratization, and post-civil war politics.

• Introduction to the special issue "From bullets to ballots: the transformation of rebel groups into political parties" 1. Political party formation by former armed opposition groups after civil war 2. Rebel-to-party transformations in civil war peace processes 1975–2011 3. Does political inclusion of rebel parties promote peace after civil conflict? 4. From victorious rebels to strong authoritarian parties: prospects for post-war democratization 5. The Guatemalan National Revolutionary unit: the long collapse 6. Rebel-to-political and back? Hamas as a security provider in Gaza between rebellion, politics and governance