Ethics & International Affairs Volume 11 (1997): The Politics of Rescue: NGOs and the Humanitarian Impulse: Some Have It Right [Abstract]

Dec 4, 1997

In a response to Pasic and Weiss, Natsios supports the authors' critique of the unintended political consequences of relief interventions but takes issue with their portrayal of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Natsios asserts that the authors misrepresent the doctrine of the ICRC in associating it with a mission of "restorative" rescue, one that is purely custodial in nature and blind to political problems. While the ICRC does support political reform, it maintains that relief should not be contingent upon or advance reform efforts. In conclusion, Natsios argues for case-by-case decisions on the objectives of each intervention, based on an approach that falls in between restorative rescue and revolutionary intervention in Pasic and Weiss' framework.

To read or purchase the full text of this article, click here.

You may also like

OCT 16, 2026 • Podcast

Multilateralism By and For the People

New America’s Heela Rasool-Ayub discusses pathways toward a more inclusive and responsive international system.

Roman baths in Bath, England. CREDIT: Shutterstock.com/Boris Stroujko.

OCT 9, 2026 • Article

The Contest of Attraction: Soft Power After Its Liberal Moment

ICR Research's Stuart MacDonald examines how major political traditions understand attraction and how those differences play out today. How can states ethically pursue soft power?

Digital networks. CREDIT: Adobe.stock.com/miss irine.

OCT 7, 2026 • Report

Their Data, Whose Decision? The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Humanitarian Response

This report from the second CEF cohort focuses on the integration of AI into humanitarian response, proposing an ethical framework to respond to these challenges.

Not translated

This content has not yet been translated into your language. You can request a translation by clicking the button below.

Request Translation