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

Description

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. Front Matter ....Pages i-xi Cultural Property as a Weapon of War (Helga Turku)....Pages 1-25 Cultural Property Destruction in History and in the Present (Helga Turku)....Pages 27-66 Long-Term Security Repercussions of Attacking Cultural Property (Helga Turku)....Pages 67-97 International Law on Protection of Cultural Property During Armed Conflict (Helga Turku)....Pages 99-133 International and State Response to Terrorists’ Attacks and Plunder of Cultural Property in War Zones (Helga Turku)....Pages 135-168 Future Action to Protect Cultural Property During Conflict (Helga Turku)....Pages 169-198 Back Matter ....Pages 199-207