Peacekeeping in the Midst of War

Hultman, Kathman, and Shannon extend and sharpen our understanding of peacekeeping effectiveness thanks to this innovative book. Their bargaining theoretical framework highlights mechanisms of peacekeeping that can mitigate incomplete information and commitment problems among belligerents. They systematically and convincingly show that the capacity of a peace operation - deployment size - and its constitution - type of personnel - are crucial factors to shape conflict dynamics between combatants and saving civilians lives. This book is a crystalline example of careful and relevant research. Peacekeeping in the Midst of War will become a reference point for scholars and, I truly hope, for policymakers working on peace operations and conflict resolution. * Andrea Ruggeri, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Oxford * This work produces new findings that change the way we think about peacekeeping. It makes a strong case that increasing force capacity can lead to fewer civilian deaths. The authors also demonstrate that the composition of the peace operation (troops, observers, civilian police) influences outcomes; most previous research ignored this distinction. The book is as strong theoretically as it is empirically, with the latter relying on advanced data analysis and compelling case illustrations. * Paul F. Diehl, Ashbel Smith Professor of Political Science, University of Texas at Dallas * Hultman, Kathman, and Shannon provide the most comprehensive analysis, to date, of the extent to which peacekeeping operations mitigate violence. Readers will find both an understanding of how peacekeeping operations can effectively reduce the scourge of war across the globe and an understanding that peacekeepers face real limitations in bringing peace to the toughest conflicts of our time. * Kyle Beardsley, Professor of Political Science, Duke University *