The Civil War in Algeria is entering its eighth year and, despite a recent decrease in intensity, shows no sign of ending. Just when it appears that the armed Islamist groups are on the verge of defeat, another horrendous massacre occurs, reminding all that the conflict is far from resolution. One of the particularities of the Algerian war is that so little has been known about it, about the protagonists, the attitude of the population, how the conflict has played out across the country, and even what exactly is being fought over. This has been largely due to restrictions on freely moving around the country—and, for foreign inquirers, entering Algeria itself—interviewing eyewitnesses to the violence, and speaking to the full range of regime opposition. And then there has been the inhospitality of the armed groups. One consequence has been a dearth of good, first-hand empirical data upon which analysis could be based.