| Author (Person) | Blunt, Crispin, Mercer, Johnny |
|---|---|
| Publisher | European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) |
| Series Title | Policy Brief |
| Series Details | July 2017 |
| Publication Date | July 2017 |
| Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog, Report |
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A paper from two Conservative Party MPs in the United Kingdom House of Commons. Despite the initial successes of previous initiatives, such as the Framework for the Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons in 2013, the authors argue that it is deeply regrettable that diplomatic mechanisms for managing the proliferation and use of chemical weapons have effectively broken down. There are no simple or risk free options for deterring Syria from using chemical weapons again. However, preventing Syria from spiralling further into cycles of violence is both a humanitarian and political imperative for resolving the conflict. The paper seeks to set out issues that the UK government should address in a parliamentary motion to authorise military action against the Syrian regime in response to the continued use of chemical weapons. These include the threshold for a military response, the intelligence implicating those using chemical weapons, the legal basis for action, limitations on any action, and the wider strategy for UK policy in Syria. In any proposal, it is imperative that the link between an operation’s objectives and its proposed action is clear. Hopefully the UK government won’t need to take action to deter further uses of chemical weapons. A coherent and resolute position, shared by the UK, US, and France, should hopefully act as a deterrent in itself. Indeed, an approach agreed among key European partners would send an even stronger message to Syria and act as an even more forceful deterrent. But in order to ensure that our words are not perceived as hollow, the government must be prepared to answer the difficult questions that accompany proposals for even a limited intervention. |
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| Source Link | http://www.ecfr.eu/publications/summary/how_britain_should_respond_to_chemical_weapons_attacks_in_syria_7307 |
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| Countries / Regions | Europe, France, Middle East, United Kingdom |
