Fractured States and U.S. Foreign Policy

When does the U.S. support partition of a warring or failing state? Why has the U.S. supported partition for some secessionists, or irredentists, but not for others? Is it a policy of last resort or are there certain variables that are strong determinants of this position right from the start? This book seeks to answer these questions by examining U.S. policy toward secessionist movements in three countries during the first decade following the end of the Cold War: Iraq, Ethiopia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. This book uses detailed comparative examintion of U.S. policies in these three cases to assess the relative impact of a number of factors in U.S. decisionmaking.

"Very few secessionist movements in the last half-century have succeeded

in establishing their own internationally recognized states. In part, this is

because the international community, and leading states in particular, have

been reluctant to convey their material support or political recognition to

such efforts. Farkas' book takes the reader inside the political decision

making process of one key actor, the United States. In doing so, she confirms

that some concerns are as important as expected (e.g., regional security), but

also critically that other factors thought to be significant in US foreign

policy making (e.g., interest groups) were peripheral at best in US decisions

to support or withold support from partition proposals."

- Paul F. Diehl, Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois

This timely study constitutes an outstanding contribution to the literature on ethnic conflict and contemporary U.S. foreign policy. Based on meticulous research, first-hand work in Bosnia in 1996, and focused on the ethno-religious wars that swept across Bosnia in the 1990s, as well as the 1991 conflicts in Iraq and Ethiopia, this volume provides a truly unique analysis and resource for understanding how and why states are partitioned." - Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr. President, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

"Evelyn Farkas has identified an important new development in the world: the growth in fractured states. It is in such places that major crises inevitably occur that draw outside powers into almost insoluble problems. Darfur is a current, tragic example. Studying Iraq, Ethiopia, and Bosnia, Farkas shows how American policy was forged, and the effect it had on the outcome. This book describes vividly issues that are sure to rise again in other Iraqs, other Bosnias, and draws important conclusions." - Richard Holbrooke, Former US Ambassador to the United Nations

EVELYN FARKAS taught for four years as a Professor of International Relations at the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University.