Gassing One’s Own People: Contrasting Leader Motivations and Behavior in Iraq and Syria
Abstract
Objective: Leaders of both Iraq (Saddam Hussein, 1988) and Syria (Bashar al-Assad, recently)
have used chemical weapons against their own people. There is now extensive
documentation of Iraq’s chemical weapon decision-making in 1988, making it a
uniquely rich case study. This project will produce a monograph contrasting Iraq’s
chemical decision-making with Syria’s recent use of chemical weapons and draw
insights from Iraq that are applicable to understanding Syria’s actions. As policy
makers weigh options for contending with Syria, this research will provide timely
and informed analysis.
Description
Performer: Texas A&M University
Project Lead: David Palkki
Project Cost: $59,000
FY15-16