Syria and the neutrality trap : the dilemmas of delivering humanitarian aid through violent regimes / Carsten Wieland.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wieland, Carsten, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Humanitarian assistance--Syria.

Peace-building--International cooperation.

Political violence--Syria--History--21st century.

Middle East.

Conflict and Security Studies (Middle East).

International Development (Politics).

International Law and Organizations (Politics).

Politics and Current Affairs (Middle East).

Current Affairs (Politics).

Syria--Politics and government.

Local Subjects:

Middle East.

Conflict and Security Studies (Middle East).

International Development (Politics).

International Law and Organizations (Politics).

Politics and Current Affairs (Middle East).

Current Affairs (Politics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Distribution:

London, England : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021.

Place of Publication:

London [England] : I.B. Tauris, 2021.

Summary:

"The Syrian war has been an example of the abuse and insufficient delivery of humanitarian assistance. According to international practice, humanitarian aid should be channelled through a state government that bears a particular responsibility for its population. Yet in Syria, the bulk of relief went through Damascus while the regime caused the vast majority of civilian deaths. Should the UN have severed its cooperation with the government and neglected its humanitarian duty to help all people in need? Decision-makers face these tough policy dilemmas, and often the "neutrality trap" snaps shut. This book discusses the political and moral considerations of how to respond to a brutal and complex crisis while adhering to international law and practice. The author, a scholar and senior diplomat involved in the UN peace talks in Geneva, draws from first-hand diplomatic, practitioner and UN sources. He sheds light on the UN's credibility crisis and the wider implications for the development of international humanitarian and human rights law. This includes covering the key questions asked by Western diplomats, NGOs and international organizations, such as: Why did the UN not confront the Syrian government more boldly? Was it not only legally correct but also morally justifiable to deliver humanitarian aid to regime areas where rockets were launched and warplanes started? Why was it so difficult to render cross-border aid possible where it was badly needed? The meticulous account of current international practice is both insightful and disturbing. It tackles the painful lessons learnt and provides recommendations for future challenges where politics fails and humanitarians fill the moral void."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Foreword

Abbreviations

1. Introduction to a Tough Dilemma

2. Expectations and Disillusions Beyond Syria

3. Containing the Human Beast: Fundamentals of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law: The Government's Particular Responsibility ; State-centred International Practice ; Neutrality and Impartiality ; Countries' Controversial Consent

4. A Moving Target: Dynamics of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law: Law or War ; An Octopus with Dwindling Force ; Contested Notions of State Sovereignty

5. The Terrorism Tool: De-humanizing the Other: The Sin of Rage at Ground Zero ; The Myth of the Unlawful Combatant ; Poisonous Rhetoric ; A Self-fulfilling Prophecy

6. De-Neutralizing Aid: All Roads Lead to Damascus: The Government's Grip on Humanitarian Work ; Syrian Arab Red Crescent's Plight in a Totalitarian System ; Western Diplomats' Dilemma ; Cross-Border Controversies in the Security Council

7. In the Pillory: The UN's Syria Dilemma: Complicity with Evil ; Contracting Dangerous Bedfellows ; Between All Fronts

8. Credibility Crisis: The UN Reacts ; Donors React

9. Diversifying Aid: Roads to Circumvent Damascus: "Humanitarian Plus" ; A Double-edged Sword ; The Reconstruction Gamble

10. Irreconcilable Positions: Roads to Nowhere: Fig Leaf for Political Failure ; Double Deficiency ; Russia's Soft Power Failure ; Contempt for Multilateralism

11. Arguments for Change: How to Avoid the Neutrality Trap

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

ISBN:

9780755641413

0755641418

9780755641406

075564140X

OCLC:

1244629469