Mediating International Conflicts: Challenges and opportunities

This paper, written by José Pascal da Rocha, provides a study of mediation experiences from different periodic and country contexts. It investigates elements that are key to mediation effectiveness. For the expert reader, it provides insights into the complexities of political mediation through four decidedly intricate cases. For the newcomer to the field of mediation, it provides an analytic and narrative account of mediation as an instrument of peacemaking.

The study is framed by an introduction, which defines the essence of political mediation as a means of conflict regulation; a description of the variables that distinguish conflict regulation from other means of conflict resolution; and lessons learned from four qualitative case studies. From the insights into the four cases, we can deduce that mediation is a skillful adaptation to clear ambiguity and flexible arrangements.