Iran-Iraq War: Chemical Warfare

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Questions and Answers

What was the response of the international community to the use of chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq War?

Limited condemnation and no action

What was the outcome of Iran's CW program?

Iran decided to acquire CW but ended its program after the cease-fire

What was the purpose of CW use during the Anfal campaign?

For internal threats, such as Kurdish civilians

What was suggested about CW agents released by Iraq?

They blew back onto Iraqi troops Signup and view all the answers

What was the intention of Iran's statement to the UN in 1987?

To threaten retaliation in kind Signup and view all the answers

What was the topic of discussion for the next week's class?

CBN in the Vietnam War Signup and view all the answers

In which year did Japan's CW program reach its peak production?

1944 Signup and view all the answers

Which international agreement did Japan ratify, prohibiting the use of poison weapons in war?

1907 Hague Convention on land warfare Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary theatre of operations where Japan used chemical weapons from 1937 to 1945?

China Theatre of Operations Signup and view all the answers

Why did Japan send scientists and military men to Europe and the US?

To investigate chemical weapons Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the facility that started producing tear and mustard gas in 1929?

Okunshoima Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason for the intentionally hazy responsibility of approving CW in Japan?

To protect high-ranking officers from accountability Signup and view all the answers

What is a key question related to chemical weapons discussed in the course?

How can we best explain and understand the use and non-use of chemical weapons? Signup and view all the answers

What is the stance of the United States regarding the use of chemical weapons, as stated by the President?

The President categorically states that the United States will not use chemical weapons unless they are first used by their enemies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the collective opinion of civilized nations regarding the use of chemical weapons?

The use of such weapons has been outlawed by the general opinion of civilized mankind. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of using chemical weapons against any member of the United Nations, according to the President?

Acts of this nature will be regarded as having been committed against the United States itself and will be treated accordingly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the warning given to the Axis armies and peoples by the President?

The President warns that the terrible consequences of any use of these inhumane methods will be brought down swiftly and surely upon their own heads. Signup and view all the answers

What is the commitment made by the President regarding retaliation in response to the use of chemical weapons?

The President promises full and swift retaliation in-kind to any perpetrators of such crimes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the President's hope regarding the use of chemical weapons in the future?

The President hopes that the United States will never be compelled to use such weapons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, and how does it address the use of bacteriological methods of warfare?

The primary purpose of the 1925 Geneva Protocol is to prohibit the use of asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases, and of all analogous liquids, materials, or devices in war. It also extends this prohibition to the use of bacteriological methods of warfare and agrees to be bound by the terms of this declaration. Signup and view all the answers

According to LF Haber, what would have 'decided the issue' if World War I had continued, and what was the main reason for this?

Gas, in large part because of the German lack of rubber and fabric for defenses. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the reservations added by many states when they joined the 1925 Geneva Protocol?

Many states added reservations declaring that the protocol would cease to be binding on them if their enemies, or the allies of their enemies, failed to respect the prohibitions of the protocol. Signup and view all the answers

What was the context of Japan's use of chemical weapons from 1937 to 1945, and what was the primary theatre of operations?

Japan's use of chemical weapons was during the Sino-Japanese War. Signup and view all the answers

What was the limitation of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, and how did it affect its implementation?

The protocol only applied to those states who ratified it, and came into force for each signatory power as from the date of deposit of its ratification. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 1925 Geneva Protocol in the context of international efforts to ban chemical weapons, and what did it convey about the global attitude towards chemical warfare?

The protocol marked a significant milestone in international efforts to ban chemical weapons, conveying that the use of such weapons 'has been justly condemned by the general opinion of the civilized world'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 1899 Hague treaty in relation to chemical weapons?

It prohibited the use of poison or poisoned weapons in war. Signup and view all the answers

What was the notable event in 1997 related to chemical weapons?

The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force (EIF). Signup and view all the answers

Which incident in 2002 highlighted the use of a chemical weapon in a hostage situation?

The Moscow theatre siege, where Russian security forces used a fentanyl compound, resulting in the death of 130 hostages. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the nerve agent used in the assassination of Kim Jong-nam in 2018?

VX nerve agent. Signup and view all the answers

What were the chemical weapons used by the Assad regime and IS in the Syrian Civil War?

Sarin and chlorine by the Assad regime, and mustard by IS. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 2018 Salisbury incident in relation to chemical weapons?

It was a Novichok poisoning incident, highlighting the use of a highly potent nerve agent. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Chemical Weapons Overview

The 1907 Hague Convention prohibited the use of poison weapons in war.
Japan ratified the 1907 Hague Convention but did not sign the Geneva Protocol of 1925.
Japanese scientists and military personnel were sent to Europe and the US to investigate chemical weapons.
Japan's CW program grew sporadically in the 1920s and 1930s.

Japanese Use of Chemical Weapons

The Japanese military services used chemical weapons over 2000 times between 1937 and 1945, primarily in the China Theatre of Operations.
The Number One Chemical Experimental Battalion was sent to China in July 1937, and permission to use CW was given on July 28, 1937.

Factors Influencing Use and Non-Use of Chemical Weapons

Factors influencing use and non-use of CW include military results, humanitarian results, and response of the international community.

Other Cases of Chemical Weapon Use

Yugoslav forces used tear gas in 1991, and there were reports of CW use during the Bosnia war (1994-5).
Russian forces allegedly used CW in Chechnya (1994-95), and there were reports of CW use by Russian forces in Chechnya.
Allegations of CW use were made against Sudan (1999-present), Pakistan (2005-6), and Turkey (2006).
Chlorine truck bombs were used by Iraqi insurgents in 2007, and CW were used in the Syrian Civil War by the Assad regime and IS.

International Agreements and Protocols

The 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibited the use of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of all analogous liquids, materials or devices.
The protocol extended the prohibition to the use of bacteriological methods of warfare.
The protocol applied only to those states who ratified it, with many states adding reservations declaring that it would cease to be binding if their enemies, or the allies of their enemies, failed to respect the prohibitions of the protocol.