The Weaponization of the Environment in Warfare: The Changing Landscape of Iraq and Gaza

The environment-conflict nexus is a topic of much debate in scholarly literature. Many studies suggest that competition for scarce resources, often linked to climate change, can increase the likelihood of conflict and pose a security threat. However, some argue that other factors, such as economic and political conditions, are equally important but often overlooked. Others focus on the environmental damage caused by conflict, viewing the environment as a passive backdrop to war. While these are important considerations, I contend that during armed conflict, the environment is often used as a powerful weapon by warring factions to weaken their opponents and make areas unlivable. The environment is not just a passive bystander or collateral damage but rather one of the most deadly weapons of warfare. In this paper, I will examine the weaponization of the environment in Iraq during two distinct time periods. The first period covers the early 1990s, specifically Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Kurdish and Shia uprisings. The second period explores the defeat of ISIS and their use of the environment as a means of punishment during their retreat. In both cases, the defeated powers adopted a scorched-earth approach to maximize damage and minimize livability. In addition, I will analyze the state of Israel's use of the environment and resources as a form of continuous warfare against the people of Gaza before and during the events of October 7th, in a much more surgical and strategic manner. By examining these cases, we can gain a better understanding of the nuanced ways in which the environment can be weaponized during warfare and the significant impact it has on both people and the environment itself.