Chemical Weapons and Warfare

Syria

commentary
What Does Mission Accomplished in Syria Really Mean?
The use of chemicals cannot be allowed to become an acceptable form of warfare either in Syria or anywhere else. Mission accomplishment in Syria, just like in chemical weapon nonproliferation, will require far more than missile strikes alone.
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Apr 30, 2018
United Press International
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

Chemical Terrorism

commentary
Arms Control Hostage to Skripal and Syria Attacks
Two prominent poisoning assassination attempts and Kremlin denials of gas attacks by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad raise doubts about Moscow's commitment to the purposes of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Never has the future of negotiated arms control involving Russia been at greater risk.
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Apr 19, 2018
RealClearDefense
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Chemical Weapons and Warfare

commentary
A Norm in Crisis: Implications of Persistent Chemical Weapons Use
The international community should consider serious options to hold perpetrators of chemical attacks accountable and stop further attacks. These are not easy choices. But the alternative is accepting that long-held norms are crumbling, and the world is sliding back to a time when inhumane tools of war were common.
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Apr 18, 2018
RealClearDefense
Natasha Lander
Chemical Terrorism

commentary
Hit Russia Where It Hurts: Take Away World Cup
After a chemical attack in Great Britain, U.K., U.S. and other governments responded unilaterally. But this crime cries out for a more collective response. Revoking Russia's right to host the World Cup tournament would be a powerful signal of global outrage and would hit Putin where it hurts.
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Apr 5, 2018
United Press International
Andrew Scobell
Chemical Weapons and Warfare

commentary
Russian Nerve Agent from Skripal Attack a Deadly Game-Changer
The use of Novichok in last week's attack against Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia demands global condemnation and an insistence that Russia account for how the nerve agent came to be used at all, much less on foreign soil.
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Mar 19, 2018
Axios
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Chemical Weapons and Warfare

commentary
Assad's Attacks Should Not Be Repeated, Forgotten, or Excused
Despite signing the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty in October 2013, Assad has continued chemical attacks on the Syrian opposition. To counter Assad and others who might turn to the use of chemical weapons, the U.S. could collaborate with other major powers to bolster the international ban on them.
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Aug 15, 2017
Foreign Policy Concepts
Ted Clark
Chemical Weapons and Warfare

commentary
Regional Action Needed to Prevent Syrian Chemical Attacks
Action must be taken to deter future use of chemical weapons. Regional leaders could call for the International Criminal Court to indict Assad for war crimes. Also, borders with Syria could be sealed to prevent any of the remaining stocks from leaving the country.
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May 8, 2017
The Arab Weekly
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
International Diplomacy

commentary
How the West Can Press Putin to Keep Assad in Order
Moscow has achieved tactical successes in Syria, but without Western and regional help, its long-term strategic interests could be at risk. Denying strong evidence that the regime of Bashar al-Assad attacked civilians with sarin gas makes it harder for Moscow to obtain the Western and regional help it needs to secure its interests there.
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Apr 24, 2017
Newsweek
Colin P. Clarke, William Courtney @courtneywmh
North Korea

commentary
China's Role in Dissuading North Korea from a Chemical Weapons Attack
North Korea's brash pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and disregard for chemical weapons norms are enormously troubling. China's engagement will be essential in convincing Kim Jong Un that the use of chemical weapons is a red line that cannot be crossed.
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Apr 24, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Syria

commentary
(Withholding) Judgment of the U.S. Missile Strike on Syria
Will the U.S. missile strike in Syria constrain the Assad regime from future chemical weapons use? Rather than pass judgment, analysts should establish the benchmarks by which they will assess this decision once the facts are in.
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Apr 19, 2017
The National Interest
Jeffrey Martini
Syria

commentary
The Limits of Going It Alone in Syria
Very little on the ground in Syria has changed since the U.S. missile strikes against the Assad regime. To translate this military action into policy gains, it will be necessary to follow up with increased diplomatic coordination with international partners and institutions.
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Apr 18, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Chemical Weapons and Warfare

commentary
Why Would Assad Use Chemical Weapons?
The use of chemical weapons today provokes international condemnation, if not always action. Those who order their deployment risk being charged with war crimes. So why would Syria's President Bashar Assad use them?
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Apr 14, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Military Strategy

commentary
The Need for a Strategy from the Trump Administration
The Trump administration needs to articulate its policy toward Syria and Russia and its campaign to counter the Islamic State group. A coherent national security strategy could steer the U.S. through these complex problems.
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Apr 10, 2017
Newsweek
Linda Robinson
Chemical Weapons and Warfare

commentary
Why the Syria Chemical Attack Is a Big Problem for Putin
The growing use of chemicals and toxins as tools of assassination and terrorism are troubling trends. Global expressions of outrage over the latest attack in Syria could weaken Assad’s international support. Russia should listen and abandon its support for the regime while joining the international chorus of denunciation.
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Apr 6, 2017
Fortune
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Chemical Weapons and Warfare

commentary
Holding Bashar al-Assad Accountable for Chemical Weapons Use in Syria
With two no votes from China and Russia, the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution punishing Syrian officials for their roles in chlorine attacks in 2014 and 2015. Leadership from the United States on this issue could show allies that despite a change in government, the U.S. remains committed to holding those who use chemical weapons accountable.
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Mar 22, 2017
The National Interest
Natasha Lander
Chemical Terrorism

commentary
Death by Nerve Gas: Two Arrests, Many Questions in Attack in Malaysia
Details about the murder of Kim Jong Un's half-brother are still being uncovered. If a firm connection to North Korea can be made, others in the region should react strongly. Otherwise, Kim may conclude that further provocations are worth it.
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Mar 7, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett

Page 1 of 4

Quoted

The overwhelming evidence shows that an overly militaristic and repressive terrorism response is counterproductive and only adds fuel to grievances against governments and security forces, which are the leading cause of extremism in many African countries. Moreover, past research shows that a more-holistic and smartly sequenced security assistance approach can deliver real soft and hard power results in both Africa and beyond.

Alexander Noyes

Political Scientist

Source: Hoover Institution

The Biden administration's lack of a competitive economic strategy, not just in Oceania but throughout the Indo-Pacific, is providing China with unique opportunities to leverage its Belt and Road Initiative to deepen trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Chinese economic overtures tend to be successful, given that Pacific Island countries are overwhelmingly small and impoverished.

Derek Grossman

Senior Defense Analyst

Source: Foreign Policy

U.S.-China Rivalry in a Neomedieval World

Now Is the Time for Space Traffic Management

The Global Movement Against China's Economic Coercion Is Accelerating

Your Health Insurance May Not Be As Good As Your State Requires—and It's Perfectly Legal

Ukraine is running out of ammo. The West doesn’t have enough.

The Policy Currents Podcast

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Managing Escalation in Crisis and War

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Assessing and Articulating the Wider Benefits of Research

Chemical Weapons and Warfare

What Does Mission Accomplished in Syria Really Mean?

Arms Control Hostage to Skripal and Syria Attacks

A Norm in Crisis: Implications of Persistent Chemical Weapons Use

Hit Russia Where It Hurts: Take Away World Cup

Russian Nerve Agent from Skripal Attack a Deadly Game-Changer

Assad's Attacks Should Not Be Repeated, Forgotten, or Excused

Regional Action Needed to Prevent Syrian Chemical Attacks

How the West Can Press Putin to Keep Assad in Order

China's Role in Dissuading North Korea from a Chemical Weapons Attack

(Withholding) Judgment of the U.S. Missile Strike on Syria

The Limits of Going It Alone in Syria

Why Would Assad Use Chemical Weapons?

The Need for a Strategy from the Trump Administration

Why the Syria Chemical Attack Is a Big Problem for Putin

Holding Bashar al-Assad Accountable for Chemical Weapons Use in Syria

Death by Nerve Gas: Two Arrests, Many Questions in Attack in Malaysia

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