Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has been one of the most catastrophic conflicts of our time and a dark stain on the peacemaking abilities of the United Nations (UN). At the heart of this book is a simple but critical question – what do UN mediators tasked with the responsibility to make peace actually do? By explaining this, the book offers a detailed record of what Kofi Annan, Lakhdar Brahimi, and Staffan de Mistura did in their roles as UN mediators in Syria and presents a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics that shaped their decision-making. Beyond the cases of these three mediators, Fadi Nicholas Nassar introduces a method by which to forensically identify a mediator's fingerprints on the peacemaking process and charts a map to examine their decision-making processes. In doing so, it paves the way to evaluate the performance of these mediators – to hold them accountable for their successes and failures.

‘Understanding the role and capacity of UN mediators at a time of global conflict is of paramount importance. In this timely book, Nicholas Nassar’s account of mediators in Syria offers valuable insight into how mediators navigate political obstacles in pursuit of their responsibilities to peace. Innovative, timely, and provocative. A must-read.’

Simon Mabon - Lancaster University

‘Through his meticulous empirical research, Nassar explores how three successive mediators brought their personalities to bear in shaping the course of the UN’s decade-long attempts to negotiate an end to one of this century’s most brutal conflicts. This book warrants close attention from practitioners, policymakers, and scholars of peacemaking processes, mediation, the UN, and Syria’s conflict.’

Steven Heydemann - Smith College

‘Nassar methodologically explores what mediators actually do in conflicts through a close study of UN mediation in Syria. Based on extensive interviews with UN mediators, relevant mediation personnel, and other relevant actors, and a comprehensive analysis of original documents, he shows how the individual characteristics of the mediators themselves shape mediation efforts. Along the way, we get the most comprehensive account to date of the ill-fated UN efforts to broker peace in Syria.’

Melani Cammett - Harvard University