The Destruction of Cultural Property as a Weapon of War - ISIS in Syria and Iraq

This book aims to advance the understanding of cultural property in armed conflict, and its significance for anti-terrorism and peace-building strategies. As the author argues, ISIS' orchestrated theft and destruction of cultural property has become a tactic of war. Through a historical, political, and legal analysis, this book explains the pathology of radical groups' behavior toward cultural objects as part of their terror campaign. Using constructivist ideas, it explains the importance of cultural property in the context of short-term and long-term security and analyzes the evolution of laws and policies to protect it.

List of contents

1. Cultural Property as A Weapon of War .- 2. Cultural Property Destruction in History and in the Present .- 3. Long-Term Security Repercussions of Attacking Cultural Property .- 4. International Law on Protection of Cultural Property During Armed Conflict .- 5. International and State Response to Terrorists' Attacks and Plunder of Cultural Property .- 6. Conclusion: Future Action to Protect Cultural Property During Conflict.

About the author

Helga Turku, JD, PhD, is a Washington, DC-based attorney and author who previously worked for the International Organization for Migration, San Francisco State University, and US Government-funded rule of law and security projects in Africa and Latin America.

Summary

This book aims to advance the understanding of cultural property in armed conflict, and its significance for anti-terrorism and peace-building strategies. As the author argues, ISIS’ orchestrated theft and destruction of cultural property has become a tactic of war. Through a historical, political, and legal analysis, this book explains the pathology of radical groups’ behavior toward cultural objects as part of their terror campaign. Using constructivist ideas, it explains the importance of cultural property in the context of short-term and long-term security and analyzes the evolution of laws and policies to protect it.

Product details

• Authors: Helga Turku
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.07.2017
• EAN: 9783319572819
• ISBN: 978-3-31-957281-9
• No. of pages: 207
• Dimensions: 150 mm x 220 mm x 20 mm
• Weight: 406 g
• Illustrations: XI, 207 p. 10 illus. in color.
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Comparative and international political science; B, Peace, Conflict Studies, Human Rights, Criminology, International Relations, Religion & politics, Political Science and International Studies, Religion and Politics, Terrorism, Political Violence, Crime & criminology, Human rights, civil rights, Peace studies, Peace studies & conflict resolution, International Security Studies, Security, International, Human Rights and Crime, Terrorism and Political Violence, Politics and Religion