Genocide and Airpower
Abstract
This article explores how and when genocide prevention became an issue in the U.S. political realm, how genocide was defined by the United Nations, and how scholars and activists have pushed to expand the public understanding of the term. Moving from definition to evaluation, conceptual frameworks are introduced for recognizing the warning signs and stages of genocide and mass killings. Having defined the term and provided a conceptual framework, the focus then shifts to ongoing efforts to reframe our understanding of intervention in terms of an international "responsibility to protect." Lastly, the article tackles the difficult issue of how the United States, already stretched with commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, can best contribute to the operational success of peace enforcement operations that seek to make our rhetorical commitment to genocide prevention and intervention a reality. The article focuses on the following topics: The Emergence of Genocide as an Issue in the American Political Sphere; Defining Genocide; Recognizing the Warning Signs and Stages of Genocide and Mass Killings; The Responsibility to Protect Argument, the United Nation's Action Plan to Prevent Genocide, and the Genocide Prevention Task Force; and Expeditionary Task Forces in Support of Regional Peace-Enforcement Missions. The specific operations discussed in the final section are Strategic and Theater Mobility and Airlift Support; Communications Support; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Support; Medevac and Field Hospital Support; Radio Suppression, Broadcasting Capability, and Strategic Communications Support; and Coercive Airpower.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA508720
Entities
People
- Douglas C. Peifer
Organizations
- Air War College