ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of a key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book is about the place of human rights and humanitarianism in international politics. It is a study of norms in international society and a geopolitical analysis of contemporary world politics through a humanitarian perspective. The book develops a theory on the interconnectedness of space and norms and applies the theory to the analysis of safe areas in international politics. It investigates Bosnia and Rwanda. The book examines the 'safe haven' in northern Iraq mainly in terms of its challenges to the international political order. It explores the dilemma that unfolded regarding the issue of military protection for the 'safe area' in Srebrenica. The book determines whether the 'safe humanitarian zone' offered an adequate humanitarian response to genocide in Rwanda.