Suchergebnisse

A review essay on a book by Aaron Hoffman, Building Trust: Overcoming Suspicion in International Conflict (Albany: State University of New York Press, 2006).

Analyses the extent of Turkey's role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and presents alternative strategies for Turkey from a perspective of third party role in international conflicts. What kind of a third party role is more suitable for Turkey is the main question which the author seeks to answer. The article draws a theoretical framework that looks at the strategies, modes and activity of third parties, as well as the rewards for them in getting involved in conflicts. The author goes on by looking at the stage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the roles of third parties and their activities in the conflict since the Camp David negotiations in 2000, mainly from a "contingency approach". An analysis of the US role is provided and the changes between the Clinton and the Bush administrations in approaching the conflict is analysed. The role of the Quartet and several Arab initiatives are discussed within this framework. The author underlines that since the second Intifada, there is a more pronounced role for Turkey to play in the conflict as well as willingness on the side of the policy-makers, however the nature of the mediation remains ambiguous and discusses the Assessment reasons for this ambiguity. While arguing that rather than power mediation, a facilitator role is seen as more suitable for Turkey, the author also looks at some of the recent developments that limited Turkey's role in this capacity. The author also underlines the recent Turkish involvement in the region reflecting a structural prevention strategy, focusing especially on the initiative undertaken by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges in Gaza. The author concludes by suggesting that facilitative mediation and structural prevention are appropriate strategies for Turkey to play in the conflict rather than a power politics strategy of third party involvement. Adapted from the source document.