Peacekeeping and the Role of Russia in Eurasia

This timely volume focuses on the problem of peacekeeping and on the role of Russia in Eurasia. Pointing to the dilemma inherent in all peacekeeping activitieshow to combine efficiency and legitimacythe contributors introduce the issues, look at factors influencing Russian interventionism in its Near Abroad, analyze four case studies of Russian peacekeeping, and discuss the efficiency of Russian versus multilateral efforts at resolving armed conflict in the region. As the number of peacekeeping efforts conducted internationally under the aegis of military forces increases, there is more pressure to resolve the dilemma inherent in all peacekeeping activitieshow to combine efficiency with legitimacy. This dilemma is particularly acute in the many conflicts that have mushroomed in the Eurasian region following the disintegration of the Soviet state. Given the history of Soviet Russian rep ression of ethnic-national entities, can Russiathe USSRs primary heirbe relied on to resolve rather than inflame conflicts in the other post-Soviet states and regions? Would multilateral efforts under the direction of international bodies such as the United Nations and the OSCE be more effective?In order to answer these questions, the contributors to this timely volume evaluate the factors that guarantee Russias intervention in its Near Abroad. They debate whether Russian peacekeeping is legitimate according to international norms or whether it may be a harbinger of neo-imperialism. Finally, they explore the origins and effectiveness of Russias intervention in four cases of regional conflict and discuss the complexities of broader mulilateral involvement.