The last of the six Balkan Wars of the twentieth century is over, but it is by no means certain that a durable peace is at hand. After vast death, destruction, and savagery lasting almost a decade, can the peoples of the former Yugoslavia live together again in peace? If so, the region will require sustained help and support from the West, which is in the midst of mustering the necessary resources and political will. The purpose of this report is to provide a broad political approach and to highlight the three key components of a comprehensive, long-term strategy that focuses on security, continental integration, and economic and political reform.

Backed by strong international support, the formation of a permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) will soon replace the use of ad hoc tribunals such as those for Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The United States, originally a proponent of the ICC treaty negotiated in Rome in 1998, now stands with the small minority opposing the ICC. With the court likely to come into existence, the terms of U.S. participation in the treaty are now a vital question.

"Sanctions don't work" is an often-heard refrain. The reality, though, is more complex. Sanctions—mostly economic but also political and military penalties aimed at states or other entities to alter political and/or military behavior—almost always have consequences, sometimes desirable, at other times unwanted and unexpected.

At first glance, a study on cities and foreign policy may seem a bold leap into the future of international relations, but it represents, rather, a giant step into the present—into what is already taking place across the country and around the world.

The International Cour t of Justice gave its advisory opinion regarding the legality under international law of the threat or use of nuclear weapons on July 8, 1996.

UN Security Council Resolution 827 was adopted on May 25, 1993. It established the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (full name: International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991).

This United Nations Convention was designed to safeguard the human rights of citizens by protecting them from torture. It came into force June 26, 1987 and additional protocol regarding an international inspection system of detention locations went into force on June 22, 2006.

The Law of the Sea Treaty covers a variety of ocean-usage issues such as transit, mining, research, pollution, resource management and sets out guidelines for nations. It is the result of the third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1982. It was signed on December 10, 1982 and entered into force on November 16, 1994. The United States has signed the treaty though it has not been ratified by the Senate.

The fifty-three articles in this United Nations treaty outline every human's right to self determination and protection under the law, and are part of the International Bill of Human Rights. After more than twenty years of preparatory negotiations and resolutions, the covenant was signed on December 16, 1966 and it entered into force March 23, 1976.