Russia and China in Liberal Peacebuilding: Perceptions and Engagement with the Dayton...
Authors: Mateja Peter and Kasia A. Houghton
This report draws from a dataset charting the trends in Russian and Chinese perceptions of institutions responsible for the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dayton Accords) between 2000 and 2023. The authors’ ambition is to elucidate and compare the attitudes of these actors towards the long-running peace process underwritten largely by Western states. These perceptions were drawn from statements made by Chinese and Russian representatives at United Nations Security Council meetings during which the reports of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (HiRep) were discussed.
The analysis shows that Russia and China differ significantly in their approaches and attitudes towards the peace process but have both experienced a negative trend towards some of the core Dayton institutions over time. The data also show a preoccupation with certain institutions over others, with Russia placing a far greater emphasis on the institutions implementing civilian aspects of the Dayton Accords, and China underscoring the military ones.
The Global Transitions Series looks at fragmentations in the global order and how these impact peace and transition settlements. It explores why and how different third-party actors – state, intergovernmental, and non-governmental – intervene in conflicts, and how they see themselves contributing to reduction of conflict and risks of conflict relapse. The series critically assesses the growth and diversification of global and regional responses to contemporary conflicts. It also asks how local actors are navigating this multiplicity of mediators and peacebuilders and how this is shaping conflict outcomes and post-conflict governance.