New Books Network Gustav Meibauer, "The No-Fly Zone in US Foreign Policy: The Curious Persistence of a Flawed Instrument" (Policy Press, 2025)
Oct 12, 2025
Gustav Meibauer, an Assistant Professor at Radboud University and author specializing in military interventions, discusses the persistent yet flawed use of no-fly zones in US foreign policy. He delves into historical case studies from Iraq, Bosnia, and Libya, revealing that decisions often stem from political motivations rather than effective conflict management. The conversation explores how electoral politics shape these strategies and predicts future trends in foreign intervention amid rising global tensions. Meibauer also teases his upcoming research on political communication.
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No-Fly Zones Are Primarily Political Tools
- No-fly zones are military instruments but function mainly as political tools to solve domestic and international dilemmas.
- Gustav Meibauer argues they often serve to make political problems 'go away' rather than reliably protect civilians or manage conflicts.
Why Leaders Choose Quick Fixes
- Meibauer uses neoclassical realism to link international pressures with domestic interpretation and bureaucratic debate.
- This combination explains why leaders often pick quick, low-cost fixes like no-fly zones amid uncertainty.
Iraq 1991: Media Pressure Spawned A No-Fly Zone
- After the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam's repression of Kurds and Shiites prompted visible humanitarian crises and media coverage.
- The Bush administration opted for no-fly zones to act quickly and avoid a costly re-invasion while calming domestic pressure.
