This book is based on the main part of my doctorate thesis. Therefore, I should like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped in its preparation. In particular, I would like to thank my esteemed supervisors, Prof. Kevin Boyle, Prof. Sabine Michalowski, and Prof. Sir Nigel Rodley. I also extend my thanks to Prof. Fran ç oise Hampson, Prof. Geoff Gilbert, Dr. Clara Sandoval, Prof. Philip Leach, and Ms. Lorna McGregor for expressing their opinions and offering suggestions. I dedicate this book to my wife, without whose constant support it would not have been possible to complete this book. I am also indebted to my family for their faith in me and their unwavering support. Finally, my warmest personal thanks are due to Ms. Lorna Trevelyan, Mr. Derek Brett, Mr. Fehmi Hano ? lu, Mr. Andrew Penny, Prof. Cynthia Cockburn, Dr. Jeroen Temperman, Mr. Howard Clark, Mr. Friedhelm Schneider, Ms. Sara Doskow, Dr. Farideh Koohi-Kamali, Ms. Tamsine O’Riordan and South East European Studies at Oxford (Seesox), as well as to all those others who offered valuable assistance and encouragement but are not mentioned here.