1st Edition

Interstate Conflicts and the International Civil Aviation Organization Depoliticization in Multilateral Diplomacy

By Michał M. Kobierecki Copyright 2025
230 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

230 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

230 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This book investigates the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and politicized debates held there. The author explores how participants have employed depoliticization as a defensive diplomatic technique in a multilateral forum. Analyzing cases such as the ICAO membership/ statehood of Spain, Taiwan, Cyprus, and South Africa; various instances of the Arab–Israeli conflict; shootdowns... Read more

List of figures

List of tables

Acknowledgments

List of acronyms

 

Introduction

1 The ICAO: History, structure, and functioning

The origins

General information and organizational structure

ICAO’s relevance

Conclusions

2 Politics, politicization, and depoliticization in international organizations

Politicization

Depoliticization

Depoliticization as a diplomatic technique

Conclusions

3 Conflicts over ICAO membership and members’ statehood

Spain’s ICAO membership

Chinese membership in ICAO

South Africa’s ICAO membership

The conflict between Cyprus and Turkey

Conclusions

4 The Arab– Israeli conflict in the ICAO

Israeli complaints about civil aviation difficulties created by the Arab states

Israeli attack on Beirut airport in 1968

Interception of the Lebanese civil aircraft by the Israeli Air Force in 1973

Jerusalem airport controversy

Observer status of the Palestine Liberation Organization

Interception of Libyan Arab Airlines flight by Israel 1986

Conclusions

5 The political context of shootdowns of civil aircraft

Shootdown of the Korean Air Lines Flight 007 by the USSR in 1983

Shootdown of the Iran Air Flight 655 by the United States in 1988

Conclusions

6 Tensions between Russia and the West on the forum of ICAO

Forced landing of Ryanair Flight 4978 in Minsk

The Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russia– West estrangement at the 41st Assembly

Conclusions

 

Conclusions

Bibliography

Index

Biography

Michał M. Kobierecki is an associate professor of political science at the University of Lodz, Poland. He has over 50 scientific publications, including two books, one of which is published in English. He spent his whole research career working on international relations, with a specific emphasis on politics and sport.