About Book

Building Sustainable Couples in International Relations introduces the concept of "couples" as dyadic strategic partnerships between states or substate actors designed to foster long-term peaceful cooperation. These couples, exemplified through case studies such as the Franco-German partnership, Latin American substate relations, post-colonial Britain and its former colonies, and multilateral dyads in the UN, are explored as vehicles for sustained diplomacy and peacebuilding. The chapters are grouped into thematic segments that tackle trust-building in international society, ambiguities of multilateralism, geopolitical borders (such as walls and boundaries), and sub-national actors playing diplomatic roles. This conceptually innovative book highlights how bilateral relations, when purposefully maintained, can serve as stabilizing forces in a volatile international system. 🌍 Relevance with the Current Era & Community Engagement Mechanism In the modern era of multipolarity, shifting alliances, and global crises, the strategic idea of fostering long-term "couples" in international relations has renewed significance. With increasing challenges such as geopolitical rivalry, migration, nationalism, and climate insecurity, sustainable diplomatic pairs can act as anchors for regional and international peace. Community Engagement Mechanisms Derived from the Book: Subnational Diplomacy Promotion: Encouraging local and regional governments to form cooperative international ties (e.g., city-to-city diplomacy). Postcolonial Dialogue Frameworks: Structured dialogues between former colonial powers and former colonies to heal historical wounds and align policy. Peacebuilding through Bilateral Trust: Investing in long-term relationship-building between nations with shared interests or fraught histories. Youth Engagement via Exchange Programs: Promoting people-to-people ties within "couple" states through academic, cultural, and social exchange. Research and Academic Cooperation: Institutional partnerships between universities and think tanks in paired countries. ✅ Final Verdict This book presents a highly original framework for interpreting international partnerships not merely as transactional but as evolving, strategic "couples" that mirror societal relationships requiring constant negotiation, trust, and mutual benefit. Its theoretical innovation and empirical grounding make it a valuable addition to peace and diplomacy scholarship.