"Conflict management and resolution in the wider Mediterranean: comparing practices between Western and non- Western actors”

Head of the Unibo research unit: Matteo Dian

Western countries, particularly in Europe, have struggled to maintain their influence in conflict management and resolution across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) due to shifting geopolitical dynamics. In conflicts like those in Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq, emerging global powers such as China and Russia challenge the traditional principles of liberal peace, including humanitarian aid and mediation. Meanwhile, regional actors like Iran, Turkey, and the UAE have pursued interventionist strategies that reshape conflict management, though not always under the framework of peacebuilding. 

These conflicts have become testing grounds for new norms and practices, forcing Western actors to reconsider their role. They face a dilemma: either lose their dominance within the international peace architecture (IPA) or adapt to evolving norms and alliances. 

The research project aims to assess how different actors, both Western and non-Western, converge or diverge in their approaches to conflict resolution. Specifically, it seeks to: 

Analyze norm contestation – Understanding the mechanisms through which different actors challenge or uphold key international norms. 

Examine contested practices – Investigating how alternative practices influence norm contestation and reshape international interventions. 

The study argues that contestation is influenced by both the strength of a norm and the infrastructural capacity required to implement alternative practices. While discursive contestation depends on a norm’s legitimacy, practical contestation is also shaped by logistical constraints, such as the expertise and resources of international organizations. When the cost of implementing alternative practices is high, contestation in practice is less likely. 

Ultimately, the interaction between Western and non-Western actors in conflict settings depends on these factors, shaping the future of international peacebuilding and intervention strategies. 

Members of the Department

Prof. Matteo Dian 

Prof. Francesco Moro

Dott.ssa Carlotta Mingardi

Other members

Conferences, lectures and talks

Conflict management and resolution in the wider Mediterranean:  comparing practices between Western and non-Western actors. Università di Firenze, 23 Febbraio 2024 

 Partecipazione dei membri dell’unità di ricerca a conferenze ISA, EISA, SIPS e SGRI.