Completion of this work was made possible with the support of the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Cambridge.
I am incredibly grateful to Professor Jason Sharman, who supervised my doctoral research with exceptional guidance and invaluable feedback. His mentorship profoundly enriched my Ph.D. journey and played an indispensable role in bringing this project to fruition. Jason’s ability to challenge me, his constant support, and his indelible contributions to my intellectual growth have been immeasurable. I cannot thank Jason enough for his dedication, insight, and the most admirable example he set.
I also appreciate Professors Aaron Rapport and Ayse Zarakol’s constructive criticism of and advice on my work. Professor Mette Eilstrup-Sangiovanni offered critical comments on the earlier phases of my research. Professors Duncan Bell and Darren Weinberg were pivotal influences on my research methods. My gratitude extends to Professors Marc Weller, Pieter van Houten, and Philippe Bourbeau for supporting me as an MPhil student at the Department and encouraging me to pursue my research ideas further. During my viva voce, Professors Giovanni Mantilla and Margarita Petrova provided valuable feedback and constructive criticism, which I sincerely appreciate. Their insights made the exercise truly memorable, and I am humbled to have been part of it. It has been a great honor to learn from each of these esteemed scholars.
I am also thankful to my reviewers for their thoughtful feedback, which contributed to this work. I express my abundant gratitude to Brill for its fantastic support. I acknowledge Simona Casadio, Associate Editor; Irene Jager, Production Editor; Jason Prevost, Acquisitions Editor; and Professor Jan Melissen, Series Editor. My gratitude extends to David Prout for his meticulous and attentive work on the Index, making this work more navigable.
Girton College provided a stimulating academic environment at Cambridge. Special thanks go to Professor Elizabeth Kendall, Mistress of Girton College, for her strong encouragement, Professor Susan Smith, her predecessor, and Graduate Tutor and Director of Studies Professor Hilary Marlow, for fostering a vibrant and supportive academic community.
I sincerely thank the University, College, and Faculty Libraries and their dedicated staff, whose resources and assistance contributed greatly to my research. I commend the Dag Hammarskjöld Library at the United Nations for providing convenient access to a diverse array of indispensable resources that enhanced this work.
I am deeply grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support during my time at Cambridge. Their presence in my life has been a constant source of strength and inspiration, and I am immensely thankful for their kindness and positivity throughout my academic journey. Your love and encouragement have made a significant difference, and I sincerely appreciate you. All this is to say that completing this work was hardly a solitary journey, thanks to those ever around me.
While the support and guidance I received were essential, the views and conclusions presented in this work are solely my own.