The Coercive Nature of Air Exclusion Zones

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This paper seeks to answer the question: what does coercion theory tell us about how to conduct a campaign employing air exclusion zones? The author defines air exclusion zones and gives a brief overview of coercion theory. Next, the author examines the experience of air exclusion zone employment in Iraq and Bosnia, with the goal of evaluating the exclusion zones' ability to coerce adversaries. In an analytical section, the author concludes that, within limits governed by the nature of the interests at stake, air exclusion zones do have the ability to successfully coerce adversaries. A final section summarizes the findings and provides recommendations to guide future practice and research.