Other aspects of the Syrian conflict uncovered and documented by Higgins include the use of cluster bombs in 2012 , which the Syrian government denied using ; the proliferation of shoulder-launched heat-seeking missiles known as MANPADS ; and the proliferation of Croatian-made weapons which was reportedly connected to the United States , a story later picked up by '' The New York Times '' . He has also investigated the Syrian regime 's alleged use of chemical weapons , including the Ghouta chemical attack in detail . Higgins has also performed contract work for Human Rights Watch and Action on Armed Violence . In 2015 , MIT Professor Theodore Postol , and Richard Lloyd , a former UN weapons inspector , criticised aspects of Higgins 's work . Postol described him as " a one man news agency " adding " he was quoted by the Guardian , the New York Times , as an experienced war correspondent . And that without speaking a word of Arabic , without appropriate training , without studying politics or journalism "
Ghouta chemical attack
Ghouta chemical attack
Eliot Higgins