Research Handbook on Mediating International Crises

Current conceptions of mediation can often fail to capture the complexity and intricacy of modern conflicts. This Research Handbook addresses this problem by presenting the leading expert opinions on international mediation, examining how international mediation practices, mechanisms and institutions should adapt to the changing characteristics of contemporary international crises. Chapters consider the challenges facing the international community when aiming to achieve lasting resolutions in intrastate and interstate conflicts during acute periods of crisis and potential or actual violence escalation. The authors also provide much-needed context for 'gray zone conflict', the actions of non-state actors, gender dynamics and biases that hinder mediation. The ever-expanding role of mediation means authors also cover human security, climate diplomacy and cyber disputes. Using extensive analysis of salient cases as well as quantitative studies of aggregate trends, this Research Handbook is the vital reference work for mediation in contemporary international politics. The concluding chapter explores the overarching themes and key policy recommendations from the leading voices in mediation. An essential reference for postgraduate researchers of international politics, this Research Handbook provides both quantitative and qualitative analysis to further case knowledge for research. In addition, the case studies and concluding chapter will be a much-needed resource for policymakers and practitioners in defence policy and peace advocacy due to their emphasis on lessons learned and best practice. Contributors include: P. Aall, Z. Bakaki, J.A. Bangerter, M. Barrett, K. Beardsley, D. Belo, T. Böhmelt, A. Boutellis, M. Brecher, D. Carment, A.B. Çelik, K. Christie, C.A. Crocker, D.E. Cunningham, K. DeRouen Jr., P.F. Diehl, Y. Duman, S.S. Gartner, M. Gelfand, S. Gent, Z. Goncz, J.M. Greig, F.O. Hampson, E. Hoffman, P.T. Hopmann, L. Hultman, L. Kemp, R.C. Maness, M.M. Melin, E.J. Menninga, M. Nikolko, P. Olander, A.P. Owsiak, D. Quinn, L. Reid, M. Sarver, N. Schreffler, J.A. Stevenson, I. Svensson, B. Valeriano, S. Vukovic, P.B. White, J. Wilkenfeld, M.-J. Zahar, I.W. Zartman

Table of Contents:
Contents: 1. Introduction to Mediating International Crises Jonathan Wilkenfeld, Kyle Beardsley, and David Quinn Part I Contemporary Issues in Mediating International Crises 2. International Crises Jonathan Wilkenfeld and Michael Brecher 3. Mediating Complex Crises Kyle Beardsley, David Quinn, and Jonathan Wilkenfeld 4. Preaching What We Practice: Defining Gray Zone Challenges for Policymakers and Academics John A. Stevenson 5. Mediation in the Emerging International Environment: From Hierarchy to Improvisation Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson and Pamela Aall Part II Mediating Interstate Crises 6. Mediation and Its Compatibility with Other Conflict Management Approaches J. Michael Greig, Andrew P. Owsiak, and Paul F. Diehl 7. Cultural Ties Across Crises: The Diffusion of Mediation from Crisis to Crisis Tobias Böhmelt and Zorzeta Bakaki 8. Supply Side Incentives for Mediation: Which Actors Mediate International Crises and Why? Molly M. Melin and Paul Olander 9. Satisficing in International Mediation: Framing, Justifying and Creating Outcomes in Peacemaking Siniša Vuković and P. Terrence Hopmann 10. Gray Zone Mediation in the Ukraine Crisis: Comparing Crimea and Donbas David Carment  Milana Nikolko and Dani Belo Part III Mediating Intrastate Crises 11. The Lengths and Limits of Mediation in Intrastate Crises I. William Zartman 12. Mediation Across Different Types of Conflict Karl DeRouen Jr. and Matthew Barrett 13. The United Nations Security Council and Conflict Prevention in Self-Determination Disputes Peter White, David Cunningham, and Kyle Beardsley 14. Reputation, Experience, and Crisis Mediation Stephen E. Gent 15. Mediator Identity in Intrastate African Crises Roudabeh Kishi, David Quinn, Jonathan Wilkenfeld, and Michele Gelfand 16. Multiparty Mediation in Civil War Elizabeth J. Menninga 17. Mediation, Leverage, and the Crafting of Civil War Peace Agreements Lindsay Reid 18. Managing the Crises at Home: The Role of Suu Kyi’s Mediation Efforts in Myanmar Evan Hoffman and Kenneth Christie 19. The Challenges of Mediation in Gray Zones: The Case of Mali Marie- Joëlle Zahar and J. Arthur Boutellis Part IV Emerging Norms and the Expanding Role of Mediation 20. An Experimental Study of the Role of Gender in Selecting Third-Party Mediators in Crisis Resolution Scott S. Gartner, John Bangerter, Zackary Goncz, Michelle Sarver, Natalie Schreffler 21. Mediation and the Prevention of Violence Against Civilians Lisa Hultman 22. A Human-Security Approach to the Syrian ‘Refugee Crisis’ in Turkey: Assessing Third-Party Efforts Yasin Duman and Ayşe Betül Çelik 23. Biased Mediation Isak Svensson 24. Mediation Without Measures: Conflict Resolution in Climate Diplomacy Luke Kemp 25. The Dynamics of Cyber Dispute Mediation and Resolution Brandon Valeriano and Ryan C. Maness 26. Policy Recommendations David Quinn, Kyle Beardsley, and Jonathan Wilkenfeld References Index

About the Author :
Edited by Jonathan Wilkenfeld, Department of Government Politics and National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), University of Maryland, Kyle Beardsley, Professor, Department of Political Science, Duke University and Co-Director, International Crisis Behavior Project and David Quinn, Research Associate, Center for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), University of Maryland, College Park, US

Review :
'This is a superb collection of articles on mediating international crises, one of the best I have seen. It is thematic, with insightful, well-informed contributions from accomplished scholars and experts, which, importantly, consider critical changes in the characteristics of the international system. It includes rich policy-relevant recommendations, especially in the concluding chapter. Highly recommended for scholars and practitioners alike.' --Shibley Telhami, University of Maryland, College Park and the Brookings Institution, US'Given the sterling list of contributors, the reader is likely to have high expectations of this book - and s/he will not be disappointed! It ranges over all the key aspects of mediation and covers them well by theory, large-N empirical analysis, and case studies.' --Nils Petter Gleditsch, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Norway