Weapons Of Destruction Research Articles

A Donor-π-Donor Type Ratiometric Chromogenic Molecular Optode for Efficient Recognition of Sarin Analog, Diethylchlorophosphate.

The extremely toxic G-series nerve agents are synthetic chemical compounds developed for making synthetic weapons for terrorist attacks and mass destruction in war. So, for these dangerous nerve agents, quick and precise detection is needed to rescue nature and public health. In this study, we have developed a colorimetric probe [(E)-N1-((E)-3-(4-(dimethylamine) phenyl) allylidene)-N4, N4-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diamine] (DPAD) with high selectivity and sensitivity for the on-spot identification of lethal sarin gas surrogate diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) in both the solid and liquid phase individuality. Upon contact with DCP, the probe exhibits a distinctly purple color, visible with bare eyes. After the addition of triethylamine (TEA) to our sensor, DPAD-DCP solution reversed the color back to pale yellow. To enable rapid detection and quantification of our colorimetric probe demonstrates exceptional selectivity for DCP within the nM range (3.2 nM). For an instant observation and quantification of DCP, we also experimented using paper strip-based kits. To further enhance detection, we also conducted a dip-vial conical flask and dip-stick experiment to recognize DCP in the vapor stage across the numerous inorganic phosphate (IPs), organic phosphate (OPs), and other deadly analytes. Additionally, for real-time and practical application, we employed a smartphone-based readout technique to facilitate on-the-spot detection for DCP.

Activity of microbicidal systems in polymorphonuclear neutrophils during the remediation of chemical weapon destruction sites

Background: The destruction of chemical weapons stored in the Russian Federation was completed in 2017. However, remediation activities at these facilities continue, including decontamination and dismantling of process equipment, rehabilitation of buildings and sites, waste disposal and burial, and land reclamation within and around the former chemical weapon destruction facilities. Upon completion of these phases, the facilities will be subject to re-profiling or complete liquidation. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the nonspecific immune defense of military personnel engaged in remediation activities at hazardous chemical facilities. Materials and methods: This study examined the nonspecific immunity of military personnel engaged in the remediation of chemical weapon destruction facilities at Kizner, Maradykovsky, and Leonidovka. Long-term exposure to hazardous chemicals was found to induce functional impairments in polymorphonuclear neutrophils, exhibiting a phased response pattern. Results: The oxygen-dependent microbicidal activity of neutrophils, assessed using the nitroblue tetrazolium test, was significantly lower than both the control group values and standard reference ranges, regardless of occupational roles. This indicates a functional deficiency in neutrophils and their impaired activation, possibly due to environmental and occupational stress affecting this component of the immune system. Conversely, the oxygen-independent microbicidal activity, assessed using the lysosomal-cationic test, demonstrated consistent tolerance to adverse chemical factors. Assessment of neutrophil phagocytic activity in response to Staphylococcus aureus revealed a significant decrease in the number of cells capable of engulfing foreign agents compared to the control group, whereas their functional capacity remained preserved. The proportion of phagocytic cells was not associated with the degree of exposure to toxic substances. The leukocyte migration inhibition test showed functional impairments in immunocompetent cells, indicating maladaptation, which was notable in personnel with direct exposure to toxic agents. Data from the period of active operation of chemical weapon destruction facilities exhibited no improvement in immune function markers. Conclusions: This indicates that chemical disposal operations and remediation activities at hazardous facilities place a significant strain on the immune system. This requires continued monitoring with the integration of immunological surveillance into the medical support system for personnel working at hazardous chemical facilities.

PROTECTIVE MODULE BUILDINGS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY IN CONDITIONS OF MARTIAL LAW IN UKRAINE

Problem statement. Military actions in Ukraine led to significant material and human losses. Statistics show that at the beginning of large-scale military operations, the country was not ready to protect the population from the immediate consequences. Instrumental and technical base analysys of storage facilities which are located on the territory of cities and settlements showed their unsatisfactory condition and the non-compliance of their locations with the requirements for the terms of evacuation. In connection with the specified circumstances, on the basis of the decisions made, it was determined the need for the construction and placement of mobile shelters on the territory of populated areas, designed to protect the population in the conditions of urban development from impact by weapons of mass destruction, debris from explosions of artillery ammunition and aerial bombs, and limiting the destruction of buildings and buildings. The purpose of article: to research the experience of construction and operation in Ukraine quickly erected protective structures of modular type civil protection (SHSZSCZ), the main criteria and requirements for their construction and placement. Conclusion. On the basis of the analysis of quickly constructed protective structures of SHSZSCZ, which, according to DBN B.2.2-5, within the normative time according to DBN B.1.2-4, must ensure the protection of the population from means of damage, the most common violations, a compiled list of the main violations during construction, which leads to a decrease in operational qualities and an increase in the danger of the population. The main criteria for the manufacture and placement of modular protective structures on the territory of settlements have been determined.

No Country for Heroes: Culture of Contemporary Wars

The article explores the evolution of the phenomenon of war in the context of political and sociocultural transformations over the past century. Using Carl von Clausewitz’s concept as a foundational model, the author traces the transition from the symmetric and regular interstate wars of the 18th and 19th centuries to contemporary conflicts marked by asymmetry. Particular attention is paid to changes after World War II, including the growing importance of international law, the democratization of Western societies, and the advent of weapons of mass destruction. These factors, combined with rising living standards in developed countries, contributed to the delegitimization of war as a political tool and gave rise to “post-heroic” societies, where individual life is valued above collectivist ideals.At the same time, the nuclear deterrence era fostered the development of proxy conflicts, actively involving non-state actors. Using the example of the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021), the author highlights key features of modern warfare: the blurring of boundaries between civilian and military targets, the difficulty of achieving decisive victories, and the growing ethical responsibility for the consequences of military operations. The article identifies challenges posed by contemporary wars to the international community, including infrastructure destruction, regional destabilization, and mass migration.The author raises the issue of states’ moral responsibility for the fate of civilians caught in conflicts, criticizing the cynical approach that reduces war to minimizing strategic risks while ignoring its humanitarian dimensions. The author concludes by emphasizing that modern conflicts rarely end traditionally with the signing of peace treaties, as irregular forces often seek to prolong wars for profit, while conventional political actors find it impossible to resolve conflicts solely on the battlefield.

Mass Culture as a Means of Moral Degradation and Formation of Children’s Deviant Spirituality in Refraction of Criticism by K.I. Chukovsky

Introduction. Cinema, toys, literature for children are not only the source of entertainment but also the most important tool for the formation of moral values. K.I. Chukovsky was convinced that films, cartoons and books should be the bearer of true spiritual wealth, and not the means to satisfy sinister interests and primitive needs. Modern children’s publishing, in contrast to the beliefs of the writer and the required standards imposed on it, is oversaturated with hidden deviations, which poses a particular danger to children. The purpose of our work is to continue the study of increasing hidden tendencies of destruction of children’s consciousness through the production of mass culture, which were long ago identified by K.I. Chukovsky in his critical works and are included in the basis of the current study of the problem.Materials and Methods. The basis of this study is the following methods: historical and literary, axiological, formal logic. The main material base was the works of K.I. Chukovsky: “Multi” (1940), “Corruption of children’s souls” (1948), “Corruption of American children” (1949), “Education of gangsters” (1949), works of domestic and foreign researchers of the phenomenon of mass culture.Results. American comics and the work of W. Disney as part of mass culture in the refraction of criticism of the writer are weapons of mass destruction: they morally decompose children, impose a hedonistic and anti-human way of life on them, oppose tradition, blur and neutralize the concepts of good/evil, light/darkness, norm/deviation in the children’s consciousness.Discussion and Conclusion. Critical works of K.I. Chukovsky clearly show that mass culture contains a risky potential that can decompose morality, form deviant spirituality, promote and implant any idea. Research on this issue allows us to respond in a timely manner and take the necessary actions in order to prevent tragic consequences in the issue of raising the younger generation. Especially now, when there is a merciless mental war against our children.

SOME ISSUES OF COUNTERING THE LEGALIZATION (MONEY-LAUNDERING) OF PROCEEDS FROM CRIME AND THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM

This article addresses the issues of combating money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as enhancing the national security system in accordance with international standards (AML/CFT) and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The events of January 2022 in Kazakhstan demonstrated that the groups responsible for crimes, riots, and mass looting in Almaty and other major cities had a clear plan. It is suspected that the financing of these groups to carry out terrorist actions in the country was sourced both domestically and internationally. The authors analyzed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Combating Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime and Financing of Terrorism» (hereinafter – the Law of August 28, 2009) and proposed new solutions, including the adoption of two separate laws: «On Combating Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime» and «On Combating Terrorist Financing and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction». Additionally, the authors conducted an analysis of certain terms and definitions used in sector-specific legislation and concluded that clarification is needed. For example, defining a beneficiary or beneficial owner can be a complex process. In some jurisdictions, only individuals owning a certain percentage of shares (e.g., more than 25%) are considered beneficial owners. This allows for the evasion of disclosure if ownership is structured in such a way that no single beneficiary reaches the threshold.

Land degradation in Ukraine as a result of military operations

Motives: Ukraine, like many other countries worldwide, faces a serious problem of land degradation as a result of military operations. Military conflicts, such as those that have occurred in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and throughout the entire territory since 2022, have a significant impact on natural ecosystems and land resources, increasing the risk of environmental problems and health threats to the population. It is worth noting that military operations directly damage agricultural land through explosions, gunfire, and heavy machinery, resulting in destruction and pollution. In particular, this affects soil fertility and structure, which are essential for healthy agriculture and farming. In addition, military operations often involve the use of chemicals that can have long-term negative effects on soil quality and water resources. Toxic substances, radiation, and other military remnants can remain active for decades, contaminating natural resources and harming the health of local populations. Restoring land after military action requires significant resources and time. Restoring ecological balance and rehabilitating soil and water ecosystems are complex tasks that require coordinated efforts at the national and international levels. The article highlights the problem of Ukrainian land degradation in active conflict zones, manifested in intensified processes such as wind and water erosion. A proposal for possible land restoration measures was made. Aim: The aim of the study was to identify and analyze the impact of armed conflict on the quality and condition of land resources in the country, and to find possible ways to restore land degraded as a result of military operations. Results: When studying the environmental consequences of military conflicts, the authors of the article focused on analyzing soil contamination, destruction of infrastructure, and degradation of natural landscapes, including forests and agricultural lands. It was found that military actions pose significant environmental risks due to the use of weapons of mass destruction, artillery explosions, and chemical contamination, which can have long-term effects on human health and natural ecosystems. The concentration of titanium in soil samples collected at the rupture site was 150 times higher than the background level. The maximum permissible levels of vanadium, lead, and cadmium in soil were exceeded. At the moment of the explosion, many compounds such as CO, CO2, H2O, NO, N2O, NO2, CH2O, HCN, N2, and a large number of toxic substances are formed. The primary mechanical impact on the soil is compaction, which damages the humus layer and has direct negative consequences, including disruption of the soil’s water balance and triggering of wind and water erosion. Mine clearance activities also have a negative impact on the soil – typically, the humus horizon is destroyed, the physicochemical properties of soil are lost, and changes in its granulometric and aggregate state occur. This, in turn, affects the fertility and water retention capacity of soil. Military actions affect the lithogenic foundation of soil due to the construction of technical structures, the laying of transportation routes, the creation of craters, and the intensive destruction of the surface layer of soil. Forest fires caused by artillery explosions and military equipment destroy hundreds of thousands of hectares of vegetation, valuable plant species, and have a negative impact on wildlife. Surface and groundwater are contaminated as a result of combat activities. An example of an anthropo-technogenic disaster is the blowing up of the Kakhovka reservoir dam by Russian forces. Military actions lead to the deterioration of economic and social living conditions in the country: during the years of the war, 84,979 tons of oil products were burned, and 294,242 tons of harmful substances were released into the atmosphere. Land affected by the adverse effects of military operations can be restored and cleaned through reclamation. The choice of reclamation technology depends on the nature and degree of contamination, the intended use or purpose of the land to be restored, and the availability of effective and economically efficient technologies. It should be noted that the selection of land restoration methods involves a cumulative assessment of the level of damage, which includes determining the category of suitability for land use. The research highlights the need to protect the environment from the effects of war and to implement strategies for the restoration of natural resources after the end of military conflicts. It is emphasized that the demining of agricultural lands is an extremely serious problem that Ukraine cannot solve on its own.

Modern aspects of legal regulation of financial monitoring

The article is devoted to the study of modern aspects of legal regulation of financial monitoring. The article emphasizes that in the conditions of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the issue of preventing economic crime is extremely relevant for ensuring the economic security of the state. Laundering of funds obtained through criminal means can contribute to the spread of organized crime, thereby encroaching on the foundations of national security. One of the ways to combat laundering of funds obtained through criminal means is the mechanism of financial monitoring. The article examines modern approaches to the construction of financial monitoring. A legal analysis of the categories of concepts “financial monitoring”, “financial intelligence”, “financial control” is carried out. The article emphasizes that the Law of Ukraine dated 06.12.2019 No. 361-IX “On Prevention and Counteraction to the Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime, Financing of Terrorism and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction” defines that financial monitoring is a set of measures carried out by its subjects in the field of financing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which provide for state and primary financial monitoring. Today, the financial monitoring system in Ukraine consists of two levels, depending on the entities implementing it. The leading place among the entities of financial monitoring is occupied by the State Financial Monitoring Service, which is the central body of the executive power, which, together with other financial supervisory bodies, forms the institutional basis of the system of combating the legalization of proceeds from crime. The conclusions emphasize that the main purpose of financial monitoring is to ensure the transparency of financial transactions and reduce the risks of using the financial system for illegal purposes. The main elements of financial monitoring are: customer identification (identifying the client, checking data in documents); analysis of financial transactions (detecting unusual or suspicious transactions); reporting (transmitting information about suspicious transactions to state financial monitoring bodies); freezing of assets (in case of detection of illegal actions, the client’s assets may be frozen until the investigation is completed).

Negotiating the Impossible? A WMD‐Free Zone in the Middle East

AbstractThe wars in Ukraine and Gaza have drawn attention to the role that nuclear weapons can play during periods of conflict and how regional crises can bar preventive diplomacy. Work toward establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East has been made all the more urgent by the post‐October 7 conflicts, international concerns about Iranian nuclear proliferation, and the potential for domestic Saudi uranium enrichment, which could risk proliferation. This article proposes building such a zone through a gradualist and inclusive process that includes four key components: an American security guarantee for Israel in return for its eventual transition away from nuclear arms; a new US‐led nuclear deal with Iran as a platform for further diplomacy; Washington's upholding the nonproliferation “gold standard” as a pillar of regional policy; and the removal of US nuclear weapons from Turkey. Much hinges on initiating a series of significant steps as part of a more targeted, consistent, and strategic Mideast policy in Washington.

Can Mathematical Models Be Weapons of Mass Destruction?

Dijitalleşmenin yaygınlaşmasıyla matematiksel modeller her alanın vazgeçilmezleri oldu. Matematiksel modeller ile kestirimler yapılmakta, süreçler değerlendirilerek optimize edilmekte ve geleceğe yönelik kestirimler yapılmaktadır. Modellerin kullanışlılığı yaygınlaşmasını hızlandırdı. Özellikle yaşamın her alanında kullanılması, artık modellerin verimliliğini artırmak için bir modelin çıktısının başka bir modelin girdisi olabildiği yeni bir modelleme fazını tetikledi. Dolayısıyla, modeller artık ayrık değil birbirleri ile bağlantılı çalışmakta ve insan yaşamını kuşatmaktadır. Gelinen noktada, modellerin nasıl çalıştığını anlamak bize yönelik kararların nasıl alındığını anlamak açısından oldukça kritiktir. Bu nedenle bu çalışmada, Cathy O’Neil’in (2016) ‘Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy’ kitabına dayalı olarak matematiksel modeller ve algoritmalar ayrıntılı olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bir modelin söz konusu alanla ilgili her şeyi kapsamadığı, dolayısıyla alanla ilgili önceliklendirme yaptığı için her modelin alan için sadece bir yaklaşıklık sağladığı, dolayısıyla modelde ölçülemeyen şeylerin zamanla değer yitirme riski taşıdığı vurgulanmaktadır. Modelin öğrendiği veri setinin yanlılıklar içermesi, çıktıların da yanlı olmasını sağlayarak toplumda var olan eşitsizlikleri yeniden üretebilmektedir. Özellikle, modellerin artık birbirlerine girdi sağlamasının yanlı çıktıların düzeltilme imkânını zayıflattığı ve eşitsizlikleri daha da derinleştirme riskini artırdığı vurgulanmaktadır. Özellikle yapay zekâ teknolojilerinin yaygınlaşması ile bu risk çok daha fazla artmaktadır. Bu nedenle çalışmada, matematiksel modellerin geliştirilme aşamasında sadece alan uzmanlarının değil, ayrıca modelden doğrudan etkilenen tüm paydaş temsilcilerinin katılımına imkân veren katılımcı bir yönetim yaklaşımının benimsenmesi önerilmektedir. Böylece, modeldeki yanlı varsayımların ve yanlı veri setlerinin kullanımının önüne geçilebilmesi mümkün olabilecek ve modellerin yol açabileceği olumsuz etkiler hafifletilebilecektir.

Chemical Weapons Destruction Completed

The expert article is devoted to the destruction of chemical weapons all over the world, which took place as a demanding and complex process for more than a quarter of a century. The modern chemical weapons used during the First World War and subsequently the adoption of the so-called Geneva Protocol in 1925 are reminded in the text. The universal and important International Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was adopted in 1993 and entered into international force in April 1997, which started off the countdown of all the coming deadlines. The issue was, for one thing, the declaration of the ownership of chemical weapons stockpiles, for another (and mainly) the deadlines for the destruction of them. Furthermore, the complete destruction of chemical weapons in the world is described, being focused on the Russian Federation and the USA, as the largest owners of chemical weapons. The last part contains official announcements about the completion of destruction of chemical weapons in the world.

Public control of outer space: towards the formulation of the problem

This article is devoted to the analysis of issues related to the possibility of organizing and implementing public control (control of the civil society of the peoples of the United Nations) over the processes of exploration and use of outer space. The authors note that outer space is of exceptional value and importance for the processes of conservation and development of mankind, since: the exploration of outer space in the last decade has been carried out at a rapidly growing pace; modern telecommunications technologies are not possible without the use of outer space; outer space is the most important condition for ensuring the defense security of states; the danger of environmental pollution of near space by waste has increased. There are serious risks of additional militarization of outer space (up to the placement of weapons of mass destruction in it); the activities of private economic entities in outer space are poorly controlled by the international community and the civil society of the peoples of the United Nations. A number of scientific research methods are used in the work, in particular: formal-logical; comparative-legal; historical-legal; statistical; sociological; method of analyzing specific legal situations. The authors note that the organization and implementation of public control (control of the civil society of the peoples of the United Nations) over the processes of exploration and use of outer space are fraught with a number of problems: the UN Charter and international legislation do not directly fix the grounds and limits of the implementation of this control; the norms of international space law do not always detail the possibility of participation of civil society institutions in the control of the study and use of outer space; there is no certainty as to which subjects of public control (control of the civil society of the peoples of the United Nations) should organize and conduct its activities for the processes of exploration and use of outer space; these subjects are not endowed with a set of real powers that can ensure the legality of the above-mentioned processes; these subjects have a weak material and technical base; there is no mechanism for bringing to legal responsibility those responsible for countering the legitimate control activities of the above-mentioned entities.

A SOLDIER-POET TESTIMONIES: THE US-IRAQI WAR IN BRIAN TURNER'S POETICS

This paper sheds light on Brian Turner's poems "At Lowe’s Home Improvement Center" and "Caravan" as testimonies of an American soldier-poet, Brian Turner (1957-), who held the position of an infantry unit leader during the 2003 US-led invasion on Iraq under the pretext of the existence of mass destruction weapons. It argues how Turner, as an eyewitness to the fatal violence of war against Iraq, exposes the traumatic memories of a survivor who experienced these events in person. This study shows how the concept of testimony is employed in Brian Turner's poems, "At Lowe’s Home Improvement Center" and "Caravan," as a form of a poetic model of literature and statement of evidence presented to the history of humanity. The findings of this study demonstrate Turner's sufferings as a veteran who served in the US-led war against Iraq. Turner's selected poems, as testimonial documents, show how those who have lived through war endure the effects of war. He, as a survivor of political violence, attests to the facts of history and prevents removing the events through negation, denial, or forgetting. To conclude, the literature of war poetry bears witness to the aftermaths of violence. Since 2003, the US-Iraqi War has increasingly influenced writings that recounts the experiences of wartime. Turner's testimonial poems explore how writing poetry acts as a means of recovery from trauma and as a method of bearing witness and giving testimonies of the devastation and negative effects resulting from the recent Iraq war.

Administrative and legal aspects of financial monitoring of business under martial law

Financial monitoring is an activity aimed at identifying illegally obtained income and preventing the financing of terrorism. The National Bank establishes requirements for banks and non-banking institutions regarding the prevention of laundering of illegally obtained income and verifies their compliance. Carrying out financial monitoring, banks and non-bank financial institutions check clients and analyze their financial transactions. In case of detection of suspicious transactions, banks inform the State Financial Monitoring Service and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine. The National Bank acts in accordance with FATF International Standards for Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The issue of financial monitoring of business in Ukraine under martial law is more relevant than ever. It is about preventing and countering the legalization (laundering) of criminal proceeds, the financing of terrorism, and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. According to the current legislation, banking institutions are delegated the authority of the subject of primary financial monitoring. The task of the primary financial entity is to develop internal documents on financial monitoring, which should contain procedures sufficient to ensure effective risk management, as well as to prevent the use of services and products of the subject of primary financial monitoring for the legalization (laundering) financial monitoring for the legalization (laundering) of proceeds obtained through crime, the financing of terrorism and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and appoints an employee responsible for its implementation. Banking institutions, as subjects of primary financial monitoring, create and ensure the functioning of an independent structural unit to perform functions related to financial monitoring. But it is very difficult for enterprises that have re-registered their activities from the temporarily occupied territories to the territory under the control of Ukraine to undergo financial monitoring, since, first of all, their financial activities are «paralyzed» while waiting for the decision of the banking institution, and accounts are very often blocked. The fact is that at the beginning of 2024, the above enterprises and banking institutions were checked in Russian registers, such as Ukrainian YouControl, Opendatabot, etc. Why did they rely on them more than on Ukrainian legal registers. Therefore, a very important question arises: financial monitoring of enterprises - legal protection or destruction of business under martial law?

The Wandering Jew as Monster: John Blackburn’s Devil Daddy

Can we think of the legendary Wandering Jew as a monster? The figure does not easily fit the common definition of a monster and yet, the Wandering Jew is extraordinary. In the medieval and early modern sources of the legend, the Wandering Jew, who once sinned against Christ and is therefore doomed to be an immortal eyewitness to the Passion, serves as a model for the faithful. In his 1796 gothic novel, The Monk, Matthew Lewis creates a new strand of the Wandering Jew tradition, a gothic Wandering Jew, a being transformed from wonder to horror through association with centuries of antisemitic accusations against Jews as agents of conspiracy, ritual murder, nefarious magic, and disease. This essay argues that a variation on the representation of the gothic Wandering Jew, which began with Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner, further adapts the legend to make the Wanderer not a sign of redemption, but the monstrous cause of catastrophe not only for himself, but for those he encounters. This article, the first scholarly examination of John Blackburn’s 1972 Wandering Jew novel, Devil Daddy, situates it within the strand of the legend that represents the Wandering Jew as a monstrous source of destruction. Blackburn’s novel, written during a time of global concern over the development of biological weapons of mass destruction, portrays the Wandering Jew’s curse as a source of manmade global environmental catastrophe. In this way, the sin of the monstrous Wandering Jew becomes one not against Christ, but against humankind. Even as Devil Daddy explicitly references the horrors of the Holocaust, this representation of a monstrous Wandering Jew haunts the text, undermining its sympathetic representation of Jewish suffering.

Cірководень: механізм токсичної дії, клінічні прояви гострого отруєння, патогістологічні ознаки та стратегія лікування

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a highly toxic gas. Among this group of poisonous substances – causes of death – it is second only to carbon monoxide. The mechanism of its toxicity has not been sufficiently studied and there is currently no specific antidote therapy. This gas is a high-priority chemical threat in industry, as well as a potential terrorist weapon of mass destruction, especially in wartime. Aim. Based on literary data and own researches, to summarize the current concepts of its toxicity mechanisms, clinical manifestations, treatment strategies and pathohistological signs of acute hydrogen sulphide poisoning. Materials and Мethods. Open sources of public information and scientific literature on the research topic were analysed. An analytical review of the publications of scientific online libraries PubMed, Medline, Elsevier was carried out. A retrospective analysis of the medical documentation of two cases with acute poisoning with H2S in combination with other toxic gases was carried out. The first case of acute poisoning with H2S and other sewage gases is in a patient who died in the conditions of a medical institution in the Kyiv region, who fell ill after a 15-minute stay in a household sewage septic tank. In the victim, the data of sectional and microscopic studies of lung tissue were also studied. The second case of acute H2S poisoning in combination with other gases of putrefaction is represented by three victims hospitalized at the clinic of the Research Centre of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety named after L.I. Medved, Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine after cleaning a deep tank with the remains of rotten sauerkraut. One of the victims died after 6 hours. The methods of system comparative and content analysis were applied. Results. Modern ideas about the mechanism of the toxic effect of H2S indicate that it is a rapidly metabolizing systemic toxicant that affects mitochondria, is the basis for the formation of tissue hypoxia, activation of oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and apoptosis. Under the acute effects of H2S, the main target organs are the nervous, bronchopulmonary and cardiovascular systems. Until now, there are no specific antidotes for the treatment of H2S poisoning, so it includes oxygen, symptomatic and supportive therapy. New therapeutic agents – potential antidotes are at the stage of preclinical research, most of which are aimed at binding H2S. There is an urgent need for the development of new therapeutic agents – absorbents (scavengers) of H2S for the prevention and treatment of poisoning, reducing morbidity and mortality. Keywords: hydrogen sulphide, toxicity, acute poisoning, treatment, pathohistological signs.

Evaluating compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1540 on nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

On April 28, 2004, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR)1540. It requires countries to develop and enforce legal and regulatory measures against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery, with a focus on the spread to nonstate actors. To date, compliance with UNSCR1540 has been challenging. Data included in the UNSCR1540 Committee2016 report indicate that approximately 35 countries, or 18% of the UN member states, have implemented 70% of the Resolution's requirements. This article uses a multimethod approach to evaluate compliance with UNSCR1540, including key-word analysis of existing literature to identify compliance factors and a quantitative evaluation method, based on weighting and scoring of these factors by the authors. The model was vetted by a panel of experts and tested on a sample of 12 countries showing that the compliance scores derived from the model correspond to the experts' wholistic judgments about compliance and agreement with the scores of more complex models.

An Overview at Humanitarian Rights in the Life of the Prophet

The term "human right" is one of the most widely used concepts in the field of international relations. Although this term entered Western legal literature after the 16th century, its principles and rules can be found in the political-military life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Islamic educations. Human rights refer to all the lawful rights and privileges that Islamic regulation recognizes for enemies. The main purpose of these rights is to ensure respect for human dignity and to generalize human rights principles in international law relating to armed conflicts. Understanding the place of this law in the prophetic life is of particular importance. This research, using a descriptive-analytical method based on library studies, has analyzed and examined the performance of humanitarian rights in the political-military life of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The findings of this research show that human rights were severely and completely observed in all the campaigns and missions of the period of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and offenders were prosecuted. Following to the principles of chivalry, refraining from using inhumane methods in war, supporting women and children, protecting the elderly and disabled, and prohibiting the use of weapons of mass destruction were among the key principles in the Prophet's life.

ПЕРЕДУМОВИ І ПРИЧИНИ ВТОРГНЕННЯ США В ІРАК У БЕРЕЗНІ 2003 Р.

This article analyzes the preconditions and causes of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003. The author examines the policies of the administrations of G. H. W. Bush (1989–1993) and W. Clinton (1993–2001) towards Iraq, as well as those of G. W. Bush up to the beginning of the invasion (2001 – March 2003). The political causes behind George W. Bush’s decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s government are addressed, and significant attention is given to the preconditions of the invasion, which had been developing over the decade following the Gulf War (1990–1991). The article aims to examine the preconditions and causes of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003 by analyzing the policies of the administrations of George H. W. Bush, William Clinton, and George W. Bush regarding Iraq. The methodology of this study is determined by the specific characteristics of the research. The author employs general scientific methods of analysis and induction to evaluate and compare the policies of three U.S. administrations regarding Iraq. The study utilizes the following historical research methods: the chronological method, the historical-genetic method, the comparative method, and the method of source criticism. The chronological method is applied to describe U.S. policy toward Iraq in chronological order. The historical-genetic method is used to examine the evolution of U.S. policy on Iraq within its historical context. The comparative method is implemented to compare the policies of the administrations of George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush toward Iraq. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the assessment of the U.S. intervention in Iraq within the broader historical context and specific political circumstances, as well as the examination of the impact George W. Bush’s administration’s views had on its policy change towards Iraq. It is concluded that the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 was driven by a number of political and ideological factors. Iraq had repeatedly launched attacks on neighboring countries and had used weapons of mass destruction both against them and its population. Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq, which were to be lifted upon the elimination of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. However, Saddam Hussein refused to cooperate with UN inspectors, creating the illusion that such weapons existed or could be produced within the country. At the same time, by the late 1990s, Iraq had adapted to the sanctions. Despite this, the United States did not intend to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s government, as it did not view Iraq as an immediate threat. However, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government viewed as the main national security threat the states that harbored terrorists or could potentially provide them with weapons of mass destruction. The George W. Bush administration sought to preemptively eliminate these threats through military action. This, along with inaccurate intelligence conclusions regarding the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, were a decisive factor leading to the military intervention.

International legal characterization of methods and means of warfare in the information space

INTRODUCTION. In the world, due to the growing trends in the militarization of the information space, military actions in this area are becoming a reality and a prospect for a number of operational, tactical and other advantages in comparison with military actions in traditional forms within the classical theaters of war. Information military confrontation will be carried out through the use of a new type of weapon – information, which does not fit into the established paradigm of approaches to traditional weapons, which, of course, gives rise to many questions and contradictory expert opinions, but is in dire need of further development and comprehensive research.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Given the complexity and multi-component nature of the topic under study, the study is based on the results of the analysis of scientific works by Russian and foreign legal scholars on international humanitarian law (IHL), experts in the field of military affairs, and specialists in the field of information technology. The author also examines key international treaties on IHL, on the topic of international information security (IIS), which together form the basis for the international legal qualification of information weapons as a means of waging war in the context of the gradual adaptation of IHL norms to situations of hostile use of information space. In conducting the study, analytical and review materials of the ICRC on the issue of cyber operations during an armed conflict were used. The methodological basis is made up of general scientific and special research methods.RESEARCH RESULTS. The results of the conducted study established two formed concepts reflecting approaches to IIS and threats in this area through the prism of cybertopics and information aspect, within the framework of each of which specific terminology is formed, including approaches to defining methods and means of conducting military operations. It was determined that the domestic doctrine is built around the information agenda of security, which determined the development of the definition of “information weapons” and the study of its status as a promising means of waging war in the information space. It seems significant to identify and generalize doctrinal trends in the qualification of information weapons as weapons of mass destruction or conventional weapons, as well as to establish new approaches to regulating the development and use of information weapons in armed conflicts.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. The article presents the author’s objective assessments of the existing doctrinal approaches of both domestic and foreign scientists on the issue of international legal qualification of methods and means of waging war in the information space in general and information weapons as a means of waging war in particular. Separately, international treaties on IHL and IIS are considered in terms of the possibility of applying their provisions to regulate the restriction of the behavior of warring parties in information warfare, taking into account a certain adaptation of IHL norms to the conditions of hostile use of information technologies. Prospects for further development of the IHL doctrine on regulating the development and use of information weapons in armed conflicts are identified.