For years, the state’s monopoly of force has been a deeply contested issue in the MENA. From Libya to Turkey, and from Lebanon to Iraq, militias and armed groups have persistently challenged the sovereignty of the state, often filling the vacuums left by weak institutions. Yet, recent domestic and international developments have contributed to reshaping this dynamic in many countries. For instance, following the war with Israel, the new Lebanese government is facing mounting pressure to disarm Hezbollah. Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s decision to demobilise will have far-reaching consequences for Turkey and Iraq. Following Bashar al-Assad’s fall in Syria, the future of dozens of groups like the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces represents one of the most pressing challenges. This session zooms in on local dynamics and discusses the role of international actors. How can the current window of opportunity be leveraged to exert the state’s monopoly of force across the MENA region? What strategies can be employed to facilitate this transformation? And how can the international community sustain regional governments in this quest?