"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) coordinates the world's largest private relief system for conflict situations. This book examines the ICRC from its origins in the middle of the nineteenth century up to the present day, and provides a comprehensive overview of a unique organization, whose governing body remains all-Swiss, but which is recognized in international law and in other legal arrangements as if it were an inter-governmental organization. David Forsythe focuses on the policy making and field work of the ICRC, while not ignoring international humanitarian law. He explores how it exercises its independence, impartiality, and neutrality to try to protect prisoners in Iraq, displaced and starving civilians in Somalia, and families separated by conflict in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."--BOOK JACKET.