Abstract
Chemical weapons constitute one of the most severe threats to international security, comprehensively prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Nevertheless, significant regional variations exist in their application: the Middle East regularly employs chemical weapons in armed conflicts, while their use in Europe is practically considered forbidden. This study examines the regional differences through a comparative analysis framework, applying three theoretical perspectives: democratic peace theory, weak state theory, and theories of norm diffusion and erosion. The research employs qualitative comparative methodology, case study analysis (Iraq 1988, Syria 2013, Salisbury 2018), and secondary source synthesis. Findings indicate that institutional strength, democratic accountability, legal framework effectiveness, and international norm internalization are determining factors in restraining chemical weapons application. The study concludes with policy recommendations for the international community.