Do Two Wrongs Make a Right? The Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria and the US Strike Cover Image

Do Two Wrongs Make a Right? The Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria and the US Strike
Do Two Wrongs Make a Right? The Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria and the US Strike

Author(s): Veronika Bílková
Subject(s): International Law, International relations/trade, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů
Keywords: Khan Sheikhoun; war in Syria; chemical weapons used in Syria;
Summary/Abstract: On Thursday 6 April 2017, the US carried out a missile strike in Syria. It did so in response to the chemical attack which had taken place two days earlier in the town of Khan Sheikhoun, in the rebel-controlled part of the Idlib province, killing 80 and seriously injuring more than 200 civilians. The chemical attack has been uniformly condemned. The US attack, on the contrary, has attracted not only criticism but also statements of support and of praise. This is surprising provided that the two attacks both constitute a clear violation of some of the most fundamental norms of the international legal order. And that the latter attack may potentially threaten the stability of this order, and the values it protects, not less than the former one.

  • Page Count: 5
  • Publication Year: 2017
  • Language: English