By examining several cases of U.S. management of secessionist crises in the Balkans and Africa, Jonathan Paquin shows that American foreign policy occasionally recognizes break-away states if it believes that supporting them will help re-establish regional stability. Analyzing examples of such situations reveals that even though US policy apparently favours stable international borders, Washington's primary concern is not to maintain the status quo but rather to seek stability. An illuminating study of foreign policy, A Stability-Seeking Power will have broad implications for understanding U.S. involvement in international affairs, and assessing the security concerns that secessionist conflicts raise.

Jonathan Paquin is an assistant professor of political science at Université Laval.

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"A Stability-Seeking Power is an intelligent, thoughtful, and well structured work. Jonathan Paquin provides convincing arguments regarding the evolution of US policy on secessionist conflicts." Stephen J. Randall, professor of history, University of Calgary

"A Stability-Seeking Power is thoughtful, well researched, and its case studies are exemplary with implications for not just the US, but other countries as well. Uncovering uncharted territory, it will be of great interest to students and policy-makers of US foreign policy." David B. Carment, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University.