This book explores the scope and the limits of what is appropriate for regional action in the maintenance of peace and security. It offers a comparative study of legal regulation of the use of force in the mechanisms for the maintenance of peace and security of different security regions in the context of the UN system and general international law. The book compares the written law and the actual practice of organizations to gain a better comprehension of how the regional organizations interpret and apply international law, especially, what regards the use of force.

1. The Historical Development of Regionalism in the Maintenance of Peace and Security 2. The Universal Perspective on the Maintenance of Peace and Security: Law and Practice 3. Africa 4. Asia 5. The Americas 6. The Middle East 7. The Russian Sphere of Influence 8. The Euro-Atlantic Region 9. Comparison of the Regions 10. Suggestions

Dace Winther has worked as a legal advisor for the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia. She has received a PhD in Law from Aarhus University, Denmark. Her research interests are general international law, the use of force and international organizations.