The Dynamics of Preventive Diplomacy is a unique study of one of the more enduring concepts that came to the fore with the end of the cold war. At the heart of the matter is the concern of the international community that symptoms of impending conflict situations must be diagnosed early and treated promptly, much like any disease, so that the world is spared the horrors of unending conflict.

While the sentiments of the international community are unexceptional, yet translating them into action is still very controversial. Great powers are not yet prepared to forgo their privileges. As Mr. Kalha has shown in the case studies undertaken of Libya, Iraq, Iran, Syria and North Korea, it is still old-fashioned power politics that holds sway. Present-day conflicts are in the main not inter-state conflicts, but intra-state.

Mr. Kalha has analysed not only the current thinking within the international community, but suggested certain guidelines that need to be codified. The logic of preventive diplomacy is impeccable, its time has come, but what is crucial is a will for implementation by the international community.