| Syria and the Chemical Weapons Taboo: Exploiting the Forbidden Contributor(s): Bentley, Michelle (Author) |
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ISBN: 1526104717 ISBN-13: 9781526104717 Publisher: Manchester University Press OUR PRICE: $114.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: August 2016 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | International Relations - Arms Control - History | Military - Biological & Chemical Warfare - Political Science | World - Middle Eastern |
| Dewey: 358.340 |
| LCCN: 2017301418 |
| Series: New Approaches to Conflict Analysis |
| Physical Information: 0.5" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.99 lbs) 208 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 21st Century - Cultural Region - Middle East |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This book analyses the Syria crisis and the role of chemical weapons in relation to US foreign policy. The Syrian government's use of such weapons and their subsequent elimination has dominated the US response to the conflict, where these are viewed as particularly horrific arms - a repulsion known as the chemical taboo. On the surface, this would seem to be an appropriate reaction: these are nasty weapons and eradicating them would ostensibly comprise a 'good' move. But this book reveals two new aspects of the taboo that challenge this prevailing view. First, actors use the taboo strategically to advance their own self-interested policy objectives. Second, that applying the taboo to Syria has actually exacerbated the crisis. As such, this book not only provides a timely analysis of Syria, but also a major and original rethink of the chemical taboo, as well as international norms more widely. |