Conflict and Security in the Former Soviet Union

Maria Raquel Freire is Assistant Professor at Universidade Lusiada do Porto in Portugal

• Contents: Introduction; The OSCE as an institution; Turf wars in the development of the European security architecture; Russia, its neighbors and the OSCE; Post-Cold War conflicts in the OSCE area; Case-study: the OSCE in Estonia; Case-study: the OSCE in Moldova; Prospects and Conclusions; Bibliography; Index.

'This book is valuable for any reader interested in how the OSCE and similar security organisations can help to prevent and reduce conflicts. As the book's detailed analysis and case studies show, the OSCE has many types of institutional resources to help to tackle conflicts, which need to be flexibly combined if they are to be effective.' Professor Owen Greene, University of Bradford, UK 'Conflict and security in the former Soviet Union is a well turned over topic but the work of the OSCE, particularly in the case of Moldova, is less well-known. Indeed, the OSCE is something of a Cinderella organisation. In Maria Freire it has found, if not a Prince Charming, at least a clear advocate. This volume shows Europe at work in coming to grips, not always successfully, with the real world of conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution. Moreover, this real world is illuminated by an appropriate conceptual framework. Both the academic specialist and the practitioner will find themselves on a steep learning curve as they come to grips with the issues raised.' A.J.R. Groom, Professor of International Relations, University of Kent 'International organisations have come in for a very bad press in recent times for their inability to deal with conflicts in a sensible and creative manner. The ones that are succesful are rarely mentioned because good news does not make 'good' news. Dr Maria Raquel Freire demonstrates in this concise and intelligent book that the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe has done a very good job in trying circumstances in two instances in Eastern European conflicts. She also gives a very good background explanation of the nature of conflict and of conflict resolution needed in the post-Soviet world.' Professor Andrew Williams, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK '...the OSCE has been able to respond to situations which were not foreseen at its creation, basically the tensions and violence in the former Soviet Union