Interventions in Conflict

This book presents reflections of prominent international peacemakers in the Middle East, including Jimmy Carter, Lakhdar Brahimi, Jan Eliasson, Alvaro de Soto, and others. It provides unique insights and lessons learned about diplomacy and international peace mediation practice based on real life experience.

Rami G. Khouri is Senior Public Policy Fellow at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He is a leading Middle Eastern journalist and a syndicated columnist for the Agence Global Syndicate, USA, and for The Daily Star Beirut, Lebanon. He is also Nonresident Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, USA.

Karim Makdisi is Director of the Public Policy and International Affairs Program, and Associate Professor of International Politics at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He also leads the UN in the Arab World Research Program at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs.

Martin Wählisch is Affiliated Scholar at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He is also Political Affairs Officer in the Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon with the United Nations.

"I have traveled with many of the inspiring authors in this book on the difficult roads of peace. Their stories and lives are what make peace a reality. Our peace efforts are a daily search for hope and for mending the brokenness in our world.' — Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Recipient (1984)

"Success or failure of the international community, and the UN, in peacemaking in the Middle East will continue to have a profound impact not only on the region but also globally. It's therefore timely to welcome and read about lessons learned and compelling personal stories in contributions from many of the UN's finest diplomats. Tough questions, and no easy answers, but a fascinating read for anyone interested in how the UN can improve its work and contribute to solving the crises in the Middle East." — Ambassador Geir O. Pedersen, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations; former UN Under-Secretary-General and Secretary General Special Representative and Special Coordinator for Lebanon

"A critical contribution to the study and practice of international peacemaking in the Middle East and beyond by top mediators, including former US President Jimmy Carter. This book provides unique insights and lessons learned by United Nations peacemakers over the past few decades as well as successful and failed strategies to end wars. A must read for students and practitioners of diplomacy and conflict resolution." — Fawaz A. Gerges, Professor of International Relations and Chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK

"I have traveled with many of the inspiring authors in this book on the difficult roads of peace. Their stories and lives are what make peace a reality. Our peace efforts are a daily search for hope and for mending the brokenness in our world.' — Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Recipient (1984)

"Success or failure of the international community, and the UN, in peacemaking in the Middle East will continue to have a profound impact not only on the region but also globally. It's therefore timely to welcome and read about lessons learned and compelling personal stories in contributions from many of the UN's finest diplomats. Tough questions, and no easy answers, but a fascinating read for anyone interested in how the UN can improve its work and contribute to solving the crises in the Middle East." — Ambassador Geir O. Pedersen, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations; former UN Under-Secretary-General and Secretary General Special Representative and Special Coordinator for Lebanon

"A critical contribution to the study and practice of international peacemaking in the Middle East and beyond by top mediators, including former US President Jimmy Carter. This book provides unique insights and lessons learned by United Nations peacemakers over the past few decades as well as successful and failed strategies to end wars. A must read for students and practitioners of diplomacy and conflict resolution." — Fawaz A. Gerges, Professor of International Relations and Chair of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK