The costs of intractable conflict are well documented: death, destruction, humiliation, anger, fear, homelessness, famine... the list goes on and on.  Many outsiders and intervenors focus on this (which, of course, is hugely important) and do not see the benefits the conflict brings. But conflicts do bring benefits.  Sometimes those benefits only come to leaders, which may be why they continue the conflict even when others -- ordinary citizens and/or outside observers consider this to be folly. And sometimes those benefits come to groups as a whole, as they become more cohesive, more empowered, and more effective in defending their own interests and rights.  It is actually the benefits that conflicts bring that cause them to be intractable:  if disputants did not believe staying in the conflict was better than resolving it (considering both emotional and material factors), they would be more likely to resolve it.

Additional insights into costs and benefits of intractable conflicts are offered by Beyond Intractability project participants.

    
              Violence - Overview
                       War
                       Terrorism
                       War Crimes
                       Genocide
                       Interpersonal Violence
              Refugees and Diaspora
              Victimhood
              Humiliation
              Relationships Damaged / Destroyed
              Delay
              Benefits of Constructive Conflict