Coercing Syria on Chemical Weapons
Abstract
This project will examine the workings of deterrence, coercive diplomacy, and assurance through an in-depth case study of external efforts to influence Syrian decision making related to the use and rollback of chemical weapons (CW) capabilities. The study will set out a new conceptual approach to advance the limited body of literature on deterrence and compellence as these relate specifically to CW rather than to nuclear or conventional arms. The goal is to contribute new models and approaches that can improve efforts to predict the likely outcomes of deterrent and compellent strategies, including the potential role of assurance within coercive strategies. The findings of the research are intended to assist in the management of the particular problem posed by Syrian CW use while also developing broader lessons for the use of deterrent and compellent strategies with respect to WMD more generally. The project will be led jointly by academic experts at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey, California, and King’s College London. The principal investigators will organize a workshop involving subject-matter experts. The workshop will be used to test out the conceptual approach developed by the PI’s and to deepen our knowledge of the various dimensions of the CW issue in Syria.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 17, 2018
- Source ID
- FA70001810016
Entities
People
- Jeffery Knopf
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Middlebury College
- United States Air Force Academy