The Relevance of Third-Party Intervention

Third-party intervention in conflict management has been extensively analysed by International Relations scholars, stressing both the types of actors involved and the various techniques and approaches that have been developed within and beyond ‘traditional’ diplomatic action. This special collection provides MA and PhD students in peace and conflict studies a chance to assess the state of the art in the current theoretical debate, as well as to deepen their knowledge and promote further reflection. This special collection consists of three parts: first, an overview of some basic assumptions on how to study the involvement of third-party intervention in conflict management; second, considerations of those characteristics that influence the propensity of actors, as well as trends in techniques and approaches, particularly with regard to local communities; and third, the relevance of natural and economic resources employed by third-party actors and their effect on conflicts.