Policy and Atrocity: The US and Hussein’s lraq, 1979-2003
Keywords:
US foreign policy, Iraq, genocide, mass atrocity, human rights, CNN EffectAbstract
This article analyzes the evolution of US foreign policy towards Iraq from 1979 to 2003, focusing on the context of genocide and mass atrocity. The study examines how the term 'genocide' has been applied to actions within Iraq during this period, including campaigns against the Kurds, the 1991 uprisings, the campaign against the Madan/Marsh Arabs, and UN sanctions. The article argues that US policy responses varied significantly depending on geopolitical considerations and media exposure. Key findings include the US's reluctance to intervene in genocidal actions when they conflicted with broader strategic interests, such as during the Anfal Campaign against the Kurds. The paper explores how media coverage, particularly the CNN Effect, influenced policy decisions. This work investigates the complexities of US human rights policy and its often contradictory reactions to atrocities in Iraq.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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