| ID | 148050 |
| Title Proper | Dirty war |
| Other Title Information | chemical weapon use and domestic repression |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Brathwaite, Robert |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The utilization of chemical weapons to quash domestic rebellion is a drastic action for a regime facing domestic challengers to take, especially given the reputation costs and risk of international intervention. However, recent developments have illustrated that some regimes have contemplated and implemented extraordinary measures (including the use of chemical munitions) to quash rebellion. This study addresses the question of why some states utilize chemical weapons against domestic challengers while others refrain from this level of state repression. I argue that the utilization of chemical weapons has both domestic and international elements. Specifically, that ethnic cleavages that lead to secessionist challenges and factors associated with inter-state rivalry impact the likelihood that a state utilizes the employment of chemical munitions. I test my argument and other explanations regarding repression with a casestudy approach utilizing captured Iraqi Government documents comparing Iraq’s Al-Anfal campaigns with developments during the recent Syrian Civil War. |
| `In' analytical Note | Defence Studies Vol. 16, No.4; Dec 2016: p.327-345 |
| Journal Source | Defence StudiesVol: 16 No 4 |
| Key Words | Secession ; Political Repression ; Rivalry ; Chemical Weapon ; Civil War |