Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Seminar

Foreign-Imposed Regime Change in Interstate Wars

Open to the Public

Why do states overthrow and replace the governments of other states in some instances but not in others? Does foreign-imposed regime change (FIRC) achieve the goals of the intervening state, or does it more often backfire and undercut the intervener's interests? What are the effects of FIRC on the target state and the broader region?

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Date: Time: - Location: Littauer Building - Belfer Center Library, Room 369
A U.S. Marine watches a statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled in Firdaus Square, in downtown Bagdhad, April 9, 2003.

About

Why do states overthrow and replace the governments of other states in some instances but not in others? Does foreign-imposed regime change (FIRC) achieve the goals of the intervening state, or does it more often backfire and undercut the intervener's interests? What are the effects of FIRC on the target state and the broader region? This presentation begins to address these important questions by examining the causes of the three-to-four dozen cases of FIRC in interstate wars over the past two centuries. A variety of hypotheses are investigated, including ideological differences or varying authority structures between governments, the two sides' relative strengths, shifts in the balance of power, and the costliness of the fighting.

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.