CIAO DATE: 12/2008
Volume: 3, Issue: 11
Autumn 2006
Editorial
The Level-of-Analysis Problem in International Relations
David Singer
In any area of scholarly inquiry, there are always several ways in which the phenomena under study may be sorted and arranged for purposes of systemic analysis. Whether in the physical or social sciences, the observer may choose to focus upon the parts or upon the whole, upon the components or upon the system. But whereas the pros and cons of the various possible levels of analysis have been debated exhaustively in many of the social sciences, the issue has scarcely been raised among the students of our emerging discipline. Such tranquillity may be seen by some as a reassuring indication that the issue is not germane to our field, and by others as evidence that it has already been resolved, but this writer perceives the quietude with a measure of concern. He is quite persuaded of its relevance and certain that it has yet to be resolved. It is the purpose of this paper to raise the issue, articulate the alternatives, and examine the theoretical implications and consequences of two of the more widely employed levels of analysis: the international system and the national sub-systems.
Third-Party Intervention in International Conflicts: Peacekeeping and Peacemaking in the Post-Cold War Era
Muzaffer Ercan Yilmaz
This article evaluates peacekeeping and peacemaking as two major third-party intervention strategies in international conflicts in the post Cold-War era. Peacekeeping is regarded as a needed strategy in situations of violent conflict, but its extensive use is criticized. The study suggests that peacekeeping should be complemented by peacemaking for effective international conflict resolution. By explaining the general characteristics of the two and the complementary relationship between them, a "contingency approach" is reached, stressing that in determining appropriate third-party intervention, different stages of an international conflict should be considered.
Turkey’s Contribution to Peacekeeping Operations
Gökhan Koçer
In the post Cold War era, a number of crises and armed conflicts threatening the international security have accrued, and most of them are needed to be intervened by international community and international organizations. International peace support operations are realizing not only by UN-led, but also in other international and regional organizations (such as NATO, OSCE etc.) or coalitions of the willing. The number of activities or operations in which Turkey has participated has significantly risen in recent years. In the post Cold War era, Turkey's contribution to international peace support operations has remarkably expanded. In this meaning, Turkey has been actively contributing to several peace support operations with different formations from Kosovo to Afghanistan, from Palestine to East Timor, from Bosnia-Herzegovina to Georgia. The aim of the first section of this paper is to trace Turkey's record in peace support operations that she has participated so far. In the second section, Turkey's contribution and role in peace support operations will be analyzed.
Turkish–Dutch Encounters in Peace Operations
Joseph Soeters, Erhan Tanercan, Kadir Varoglu, Ünsal Sigri
This article examines cooperation between the Dutch and the Turkish armed forces during two peacekeeping missions, respectively in Kosovo (KFOR, 1999-2000) and Kabul (ISAF, 2002-2003). It is based on a literature survey and interviews with officers and NCOs of both sides. The article deals with the collaboration between the two armed forces as well as the interaction with the local populations in both areas of operation. Differences in style and modes of operation are analysed, leading to some thoughts for reflection with respect to intercultural military cooperation and peacekeeping in Muslim countries. It is argued that commanders at all levels should be prepared for the intercultural dimension of working with military from other nations, especially if they are deployed in areas that are culturally distant from their own. In addition, it is stressed that the scope of CIMIC-activities may be expanded in order to win the hearts and minds of the local population.
The Theory And Practice Of Preventive Diplomacy: The Case Of Preventive Deployment In Macedonia
Sezai Özçelik
This study will focus on the preventive deployment in Macedonia with special emphasis on the theory of preventive diplomacy. Nicolaidis's prevention action model is used as an analytical framework. In the model, the concept of coercive diplomacy is helpful in explaining the preventive deployment in Macedonia. The United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) in Macedonia is the first United Nations peacekeeping operations with a mandate on preventive deployment. The study aims to contribute to the improvement of preventive diplomacy in order for this to become a tool for conflict prevention in inter- and intra-state conflicts. It also offers suggestions and lessons for future preventive deployment activities.
Erhan YARAR, “Tarihsel Dönüşüm” Filistin Sorunu Temelinde Türk Dış Politikası ve İsrail Devletini Tanıma Süreci (“Historical Transformation” Turkish Foreign Policy on the Basis of Palestinian Issue and Recognition Process of the Israeli State)
Özge Özkoç
Bibliography of International Relations (June 2006-August 2006)