Theses studies, reports, and analyses were conducted by governmental agencies, and private organizations under contract with the federal government. Continuing threat from weapons of mass destruction continuing threat from weapons of mass destruction. Combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The perceived threat from weapons of mass destruction wmd has become one of the most important issues on foreign policy and national security agendas. Dec 12, 2016 15 the russian federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to use against it and or its allies of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, as well as in the case of aggression against the russian federation with the use of conventional weapons, when under threat to the very existence of the state. Emphasizing international appeals to control weapons of. Nov 03, 2016 the 2015 national security strategy identifies the proliferation andor use of weapons of mass destruction wmd among the top strategic risks to the nations interests.
June 1, 2014 the longstanding efforts of the international community writ large to exclude weapons of mass destruction wmd from international competition and conflict could be undermined in 2030. A weapon of mass destruction wmd is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or any. Efforts to control the spread of wmd are enshrined in international agreements such as the nuclear nonproliferation treaty of 1968, the biological weapons convention of 1972, and the chemical weapons convention of 1993. The end of cold war confrontation has enabled historic reductions in nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction, and the specter of nuclear annihilation has receded dramatically. A weapon of mass destruction is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or other device that is intended to harm a large number of people. Chemical weapon weapons of mass destruction britannica. Weapons of mass destruction in the middle east stimson center.
Mar 01, 2018 countering this shadowy threat requires close collaboration beyond any one countrys borders. Accordingly, the secretary of state shall cooperate in and lead multilateral efforts to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Oct 11, 2001 mass destruction weapons pose greatest threat, yet disarmament pledges largely unmet, says nigeria in first committees general debate. Arms control discussions that focus on just one of these capabilities might not be able to lead to the removal of other types of weapons of mass destruction. This massive effort is underpinned by a global architecture of arms control and nonproliferation treaties that define the obligations of governments to prevent the illegal export or use of weapons of mass destruction. In such a situation, the international community should unite its efforts to enhance control over the weapons of mass destruction. A central focus of the projects research efforts are evolving national and international perceptions of the benefits, costs, and risks associated with weapons of mass destruction. Joseph, under secretary for arms control and international security written statement to the senate armed services committee subcommittee on emerging threats and capabilities washington, dc march 29, 2006. List of weapons of mass destruction treaties wikipedia. The wmd threat has, for example, profoundly influenced the bush administrations national security and homeland security strategies.
In addition to the dictionary of terms covering conventional, chemical, biological, and nuclear arms control, it also includes useful sections providing a historical chronology of arms control agreements and a glossary of acronyms from antiballistic missile abm to weapons of mass destruction wmd. Contrary to the views of many pundits, there is an authoritative definition for wmd. In spite of international arms control efforts, and various discussions of weapons of mass destruction free zones in the middle east, the major powers in the region clearly see chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear cbrn weapons as key instruments of power. The ministers discussed many topics including the situation in syria, the arms trade treatys adoption, the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, outer space security, and the establishment of a wmd freezone in the middle east, iran, and the democratic peoples republic of korea dprk. Modern weapons of mass destruction are either nuclear, biological.
Weapons of mass destruction the united states faces a rising danger from terrorists and rogue states seeking to use weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction and other strategic weapons. Rand provides policymakers with objective guidance and recommendations to improve wmd preparedness, detection, and response, as well as international collaboration to. Oehler, director, nonproliferation center to the senate armed services committee the continuing threat from weapons of mass destruction.
It is the policy of the united states to lead and seek multilaterally coordinated efforts with other countries to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering such weapons. Counterproliferation involves efforts to combat the spread or growth of weaponsconventional weapons, weapons of mass destruction, and related technologythat threaten the united. Jessica eve sterns research on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction suggests that the debate on this issue needs to move away from the two extreme ends of the spectrum. Two of the countries of greatest proliferation concerniran and iraqare located in the gulf region. The bureau investigates and collects intelligence on wmdrelated threats and incidents to. With the end of the cold war, these efforts have become even more essentialand even more complex. Weapons of mass destruction are defined as those devices capable of extensive destruction when deployed in a manner intended to destroy large numbers of people. It is a very far reaching control which would eliminate the rivalry between nations in this field, which would prevent. That threat is gone, but in its place remain troubling uncertainties and clear threats, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Accordingly, the secretary of state shall cooperate in and lead multilateral efforts to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of. Such efforts had been coordinated by strategic commands center for combating weapons of mass destruction, or sccwmd, at fort belvoir, va. Preventing the further proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Countries weapons programs, and their levels of cooperation with our nonproliferation efforts, will be among our most important criteria in judging the nature of our bilateral relations. Strategy to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass.
The proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction wmd, and their delivery systems, could have incalculable consequences for national, regional and global security. Nov 14, 2016 week one introduction to regulatory issues in weapons of mass destruction. Understanding the motivations for proliferation in the postcold war environment is essential to this task. Jun 01, 2014 june 1, 2014 the longstanding efforts of the international community writ large to exclude weapons of mass destruction wmd from international competition and conflict could be undermined in 2030. The fbi is the lead federal agency for responding to threats from weapons of mass destruction wmd. Weapons of mass destruction wmds constitute a class of weaponry with the. This paper examines four pressing wmd challenges for the next u. North koreas other weapons of mass destruction arms. Federal register presidential documents national archives. Apr 25, 2018 toxic weapons made of chemicals are nothing new.
Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives, nuclear or radiological devices, chemical or biological weapons, or any other device, even those not yet developed or disclosed, that. National strategy to combat weapons of mass destruction december 2002 the gravest danger our nation faces lies at the crossroads of radicalism and technology. Counterproliferation involves efforts to combat the spread or growth of weapons conventional weapons, weapons of mass destruction, and related technologythat threaten the united states. Under the category of improving security, the summit addressed five primary topics. The 2015 national security strategy identifies the proliferation andor use of weapons of mass destruction wmd among the top strategic risks to the nations interests. The international security program and the project on nuclear issues conduct timely research and analysis on countering the spread of weapons of mass destruction from the continued use of chemical weapons in syria to the threat posed by nonstate actors to the effort to prevent further nuclear proliferation. Given the differing but complimentary roles of chemical and nuclear capabilities, approaching north korea with the idea of limiting or removing these capabilities together, as some u. Accordingly, the secretary of state shall cooperate in and lead multilateral efforts to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass. Our enemies have openly declared that they are seeking weapons of mass destruction, and evidence indicates that they are doing so with determination. During the next decade, proliferation will remain most acute in some of the worlds most volatile regions. National strategy for countering weapons of mass destruction. The unscr 1540 approach subjects all wmds to the same standard. Prevention of weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorism. The potential effects of wmd proliferation on nato allies are one of the greatest threats nato.
Weapons of mass destruction national defense university press. International efforts to keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of nonstate actors must be continually strengthened through stepped. A critical priority for the united states is to stem the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and their missile delivery systems. Weapons of mass destruction and other strategic weapons we work to support progress in nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, addressing all aspects of the nuclear dilemma, from delivery vehicles and security policies to the benefits and risks of nuclear technology. Weapon of mass destruction wmd, weapon with the capacity to inflict death and destruction on such a massive scale and so indiscriminately that its very presence in the hands of a hostile power can be considered a grievous threat. The risk that weapons of mass destruction could be used for terrorist purposes is not the only reason why states are so interested in preventing their proliferation. Continuing threat from weapons of mass destruction.
The evolving threat from weapons of mass destruction in. This massive effort is underpinned by a global architecture of arms control and nonproliferation treaties that define the obligations of. The international community can draw on its lessons for nuclear disarmament and efforts to make bioweapons obsolete as tools of mass destruction. Define the nature and varieties of the primary internal. The german army initiated modern chemical warfare by launching a chlorine attack at ypres, belgium, on april 22, 1915, killing 5,000 french and algerian troops and momentarily.
Rand provides policymakers with objective guidance and recommendations to improve wmd preparedness, detection, and response, as well as international. National strategy to combat weapons of mass destruction. Global partnership against the spread of weapons and. Although its nuclear and missile programs are frequently in the headlines, north koreas other weapons of mass destruction wmd programs and their role in pyongyangs security strategies draw less discussion and analysis. Chemical weapons did not become true weapons of mass destruction wmd until they were introduced in their modern form in world war i 191418. May 03, 2016 before unscr 1540, arms control efforts were piecemeal and uneven, with different agreements restricting specific categories of weapons. The history of weapons control has also included treaties to limit effective defense against weapons of mass destruction in order to preserve the deterrent doctrine of mutual assured destruction antiballistic missile treaty as well as treaties to limit the spread of nuclear technologies geographically african nuclear weapons free zone. Countering wmd terrorism to reduce the risk that terrorists are able to.
Homeland security has gutted programs aimed at stopping. Innovation in countering weapons of mass destruction. In his study, eliminating weapons of mass destruction. While active in efforts to prevent other countries from obtaining nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, these nuclear powers have all shied.
Week one introduction to regulatory issues in weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction proliferation center for. Jun 20, 2008 us efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction have enjoyed some successes over the past several years. This manual provides tactical level commanders, staff, and key agencies with a primary reference for planning, synchronizing. International efforts crucial to keeping weapons of mass. Weapons of mass destruction unrcpd united nations regional. Weapons of mass destruction and international law asil. Weapons of mass destruction international peace institute. Demonstrating tangible efforts to ensure that sensitive equipment, materials and technology intended for legitimate purposes do not fall into the wrong hands builds trust and. Council decision in support of a process of confidencebuilding leading to the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the middle east decision 2019938cfsp action through the g7g8. Executive order 12938 proliferation of weapons of mass. Science and technology and the nonproliferation of weapons. Director deutch observed last week, i think a tremendous amount of progress has been done. Any ambitions these two countries may have to build nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons are particularly troubling given iran and iraqs long history of eliminating weapons.
The united states institute of peace has attempted to make a limited but important contribution to furth ering the understanding of some of the most critical global and regional issues surrounding weapons of mass destruction and arms control, primarily through its grant program. The persian gulf presents a difficult challenge for global efforts to control weapons of mass destruction wmd. The effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons beyond the five permanent members of the security council has been more successful than many had thought. Strategy to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction robert g. A weapon of mass destruction wmd is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or any other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to numerous humans or cause great damage to humanmade structures e. The proliferation of these weapons is likely to be harder to prevent and thus potentially more prevalent. Continuing threat from weapons of mass destruction central. Strategy to combat the proliferation of weapons of. Executive order 12938 united states department of the.
Tackling weapons of mass destruction in africa world. In the effort to reduce weapons of mass destruction, the glass. Efforts to address proliferation in the persian gulf therefore will need to take into consideration a broad array of issues. A weapon of mass destruction wmd is a weapon be it nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or explosive that can kill or injure large numbers of people or greatly damage the infrastructure of a country or region. Weapons of mass destruction international relations. In actuality, one country alone cannot cope with the threat of using the weapons of mass destruction, while the rise of the international terrorism increases this treat. Chemical weapon chemical weapon weapons of mass destruction.
Theyve been around for thousands of years as poisoned arrows, lethal smoke, or noxious fumes, but following their use they were eventually considered too cruel and unfair for civilized battle, and efforts were made to ban them. Efforts must be made to ensure that the epidemic will. The persian gulf case, shahram chubin looks at the role of wmd in the persian gulf and the obstacles to eliminating mass destruction weapons in the region. Prevention of weapons of mass destruction proliferation and.
Defeat activities fall into two categories, pathway defeat and wmd defeat, both of which involve joint force efforts to delay, disrupt, destroy, andor neutralize wmd threats. Weapons of mass destruction european external action service. Efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Defining weapons of mass destruction this paper rejects such arguments. A weapon of mass destruction wmd is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or any other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans or cause great damage to humanmade structures e.
Several treaties also exist to prevent the proliferation of missiles and related. United states to lead and seek multilaterally coordinated efforts with other countries to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering such weapons. Weapons of mass destruction deals with a deadly subject and a scourge of humankind. Nov 24, 2014 international efforts to keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of nonstate actors must be continually strengthened through stepped. While active in efforts to prevent other countries from obtaining nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, these nuclear powers have all shied away from the push to pass the treaty at the u. Progress in reducing the spread and use of weapons of mass destruction is never linear. Our goal is to work with other concerned states to develop new means to disrupt the proliferation trade at sea, in the air, and on land. On may 31 in krakow, poland, president bush announced a new effort to combat weapons of mass destruction wmd, called the proliferation security initiative.
The term is integral to the international communitys longstanding disarmament dialogue. With the weapons of mass destruction control act p. This week we will focus on co1 define the nature and varieties of the primary internal federal regulatory efforts that govern weapons of mass destruction. The threat of weapons of mass destruction assembles research studies that analyze the weapons, efforts to control, and proliferation. Xi chairs leadership meeting on regular epidemic control. Weapons of mass destruction wmds constitute a class of weaponry with the potential to, in a single moment, kill millions of civilians, jeopardize the natural environment, and fundamentally alter the world and the lives of future generations through their catastrophic effects. In the effort to reduce weapons of mass destruction, the. During the cold war, technology efforts in these fields were focused against a soviet threat. The growth in terrorists capabilities and aspirations and the spread of dualuse tech nology have made the threat of weapons of mass destruction wmd terrorism pro gressively more acute, requiring a comprehensive strategy to defend the united states and its interests. Socom will soon lead the pentagons antiwmd efforts. The proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
1550 1019 1533 633 1341 288 863 1348 788 1608 225 1574 937 1628 565 541 1580 763 829 195 316 1520 1206 207 922 1423 1432 1322 85 430 1442 487 651 1051 726 779 830 1332