Institutions do not decide whom to destroy or to kill, whether to make peace or war; those decisions are the responsibility of individuals. This book argues that the most important aspect of conflict resolution is for antagonists to understand their opponents as individuals, their ambitions, their pains, the resentments that condition their thinking and the traumas they do not fully themselves grasp. Gabrielle Rifkind and Giandomenico Pico here present two very different experiences of international relations - Rifkind as a psychotherapist now immersed in the politics of the Middle East, and Picco as a career diplomat with a long and successful record as a negotiator at the UN. Should we talk to the enemy? What happens if the protagonists are nasty and brutish, tempting policy-makers to retaliate? How do nations find the capacity not to hit back, trapping themselves in endless cycles of violence?Presenting a unique combination of psychological theories, geopolitical realities and first-hand peace-making experience, this book sheds new light on some of the worst conflicts in the modern world and demonstrates, above all, how empathy can often be far more persuasive than the most fearsome weapons. By exploring the question of intervention versus non-intervention, and examining how the changing nature of warfare and technology has both armed the warmonger, whilst empowering the individual through social media, this is a highly topical, comprehensive overview on international diplomacy and the complexities of peace-making.

Developing links between psychology and politics, the authors explore what lies behind the aggressive facade of negotiations and how, underneath the mask, there is a human being.

About the Author
Gabrielle Rifkind is the Director of the Middle East programme at Oxford Research Group. She is a group analyst and specialist in conflict resolution immersed in the politics of the Middle East. Rifkind combines in-depth political and psychological expertise with many years' experience in promoting serious analysis and discreet dialogues with groups behind the scenes. Giandomenico Picco served for over two decades as a UN official. Among his work, he led the UN efforts which brought about the release of many of the Western hostages from Lebanon and the agreement which ended the Iran Iraq war. He has been a consultant in the private sector as Chairman of GDP Associates, a USA based company. He has published articles and co-authored books on matters related to the larger Middle East, among other subjects.

Reviews
"The Fog of Peace reflects a wealth of reflections by two experienced, enlightened and well read participants and actors in peacemaking and conflict resolution. It is a thrilling and stimulating reading for all interested in the resolution of conflicts of international relevance. It is a rare effort to put the spotlight on the negotiators and on the need for more psychological insight." -Hans Blix, former Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Head of UN Iraq inspections 2002 -2003.' "From the fog of war and the tangle of international diplomacy to the fog of the human mind and the tangle of the soul - two contrasting approaches to conflict resolution come together intriguingly. This is their remarkable account." Jon Snow, Newscaster for Channel 4 News "Fascinating, revelatory and insightful, The Fog of Peace is a remarkable book. The combined product of an experienced diplomat and a shrewd practicing therapist, it is based on real life encounters rather than tired theory and worn-out politics. As a result, it captures the human emotions that underlie all conflicts and powerfully displays that the solutions to war lie in truly understanding 'the other' and unpicking the enmities that run so deep. Baroness Helena Kennedy QC



Book Information
ISBN 9781780768977
Author Gabrielle Rifkind
Format Hardback
Page Count 290
Imprint I.B. Tauris
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 472g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 135mm * 30mm