The Politics of Rescue

The Politics of Rescue: Yugoslavia's Wars and the Humanitarian Impulse [Abstract] 12/04/97
Asserting that humanitarian intervention is a highly ambiguous principle, Pasic and Weiss warn of the dangers of politically driven rescues that often force trade-offs between the pursuit of rescue and political order.
Author(s): Amir Pasic, Thomas G. Weiss

NGOs and the Humanitarian Impulse: Some Have It Right [Abstract] 12/04/97
In a response to Pasic and Weiss, Natsios supports the authors' critique of the unintended political consequences of relief interventions but takes issue with their portrayal of the International Committee of the Red Cross, asserting that the authors misrepresent the doctrine of the ICRC.
Author(s): Andrew S. Natsios

An Emergency Response System for the International Community: Commentary on The Politics of Rescue [Abstract] 12/04/97
In his response to "The Politics of Rescue," Winston argues that the real dilemma facing the international system is not a question of what form intervention will take, but rather a question of the existence of political will to act on the humanitarian impulse.
Author(s): Morton Winston

Holding Humanitarianism Hostage: The Politics of Rescue [Abstract] 12/04/97
Destexhe expands upon the discussion begun in " The Politics of Rescue," stating that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in choosing a humanitarian route rather than a political one, further enabled ethnic cleansing and prolonged the conflict in the Balkans.
Author(s): Alain Destexhe

When is it Right to Rescue? A Response to Pasic and Weiss [Abstract] 12/04/97
Arguing that humanitarian agencies cannot always actively pursue political agendas, Mapel argues that in deciding whether there is an obligation to intervene, the nature of the conflict, the costs and risks of intervention, and other factors must all be taken into consideration.
Author(s): David R. Mapel