As alluded to in the Introduction and Chapter 1, the post–Cold War era underscored the importance of international legitimacy. Once the danger of Armageddon associated with the East–West confrontation had been removed, initially there was less visceral need – at least, among winners – to pursue security at all costs, whatever the means. Giving greater attention to right (i.e., legitimacy) and not simply might, as well as recognition to the overall benefits that international cooperation and socialization embedded in legitimacy would bring to interstate politics, seemed the best option. The window of opportunity that this created for human rights and democratic values to increasingly shape policies could only contribute to enhancing the visibility and relevance of legitimacy, as it called for more accountability. Tragically, the conflicts that marked the post–Cold War period offered their own openings. By triggering the establishment of international criminal tribunals, the massive human-rights violations and humanitarian crises accompanying wars in collapsing countries sent the message that basic requirements of legitimacy would not be denied with impunity. Here, particularly in the 1990s, the sympathetic coverage provided by global media and the involvement of world society (especially nongovernmental organizations [NGOs]) in support of civilian victims of conflicts played a positive role. In addition, globalization highlighted international legitimacy. Indeed, whereas it was perceived as affecting millions of people, it was often also seen as affecting them negatively, and many argued that this was happening with the collaboration of international institutions.