The use of cluster bombs in the war in Ukraine
analysis of the morality and legitimation process of the U.S. supply to Kyiv
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.143442Keywords:
Cluster bombs, United States, war in Ukraine, legitimizationAbstract
The article focuses on the U.S. government's decision to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine amidst the conflict with Russia. The measure sparked controversy due to the risk these weapons pose to civilians and the stigmatization of this type of armament following the creation of the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. This article analyzes the ethical and moral issues concerning the nature and use of cluster bombs, explores the U.S. stance on this weaponry, and discusses the internal legitimization process of the decision in the U.S. The research draws on relevant academic studies on morality and the technological design of weapons, various positions of analysts and U.S. congress members, the analysis of U.S. domestic legal frameworks, and the literature on the legitimacy and legitimization of political actions. We conclude that the Biden administration’s decision was facilitated by the convergence of four main factors: it was morally disregarded and justified as militarily necessary, legally authorized, and politically legitimized.
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Accepted 2025-03-06
Published 2025-03-31
