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. From the 1960s to the 1990s, south africa pursued research into weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction oxford. Proliferation risks of civilian nuclear power programs. Civilian nuclear power plants themselves are not considered a high proliferation. According to a russian military doctrine stated in 2010, nuclear weapons could be used by russia in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies, and also in case of aggression against russia with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened. Weapons of mass destruction international relations. Nonproliferation issues for weapons of mass destruction. Egypts response to israels nuclear capability suggests several conclusions. Within 10 years a nuclear warhead will devastate a major city. The financing of nuclear and other weapons of mass. The commissions report examines the governments current policies and programs, identifies gaps in prevention strategy and recommends ways to close them.
Iraq actively researched and later employed weapons of mass destruction wmd from 1962 to 1991, when it destroyed its chemical weapons stockpile and halted its biological and nuclear weapon programs as required by the united nations security council. Nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, ctbt github pages. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the middle. Terrorist and weapons of mass destruction wmd accurate. Nuclear proliferation nuclear missiles, nuclear bombs, nuclear wars, everything seems to have fallen into the same category, but nobody has really payed attention to the big picture and has actually took the time to realize what this is really about. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read proliferation. Nonproliferation issues for weapons of mass destruction provides an understanding of wmd proliferation risks by bridging complex technical and political issues. Nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction allows researchers to trace not only the development and spread of the worlds most dangerous weapons, but also regional reactions, treaties and agreements, and efforts to limit nuclear proliferation. The term weapons of mass destruction wmd was first expressly defined by the united nations in 1948 as atomic explosive weapons, radioactive material weapons, lethal chemical and biological weapons, and any weapons developed in the future which have characteristics comparable in destructive effect to those of the atomic bomb or other weapons. Weapons of mass destruction proliferation center for. As the world learned with the discovery of the secret a. A great deal of literature exists on international regimes and their attempts to curb the proliferation of. Nuclear nonproliferation treaty, nuclear nonproliferation treaty the nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt is the only legally binding multilateral agreement that commits signatory atomic bomb, origins massive retaliation nuclear weapons and european security mutual assured destruction beyond deterrence after the cold war bibliography.
List of books and articles about nuclear proliferation. These weapons have, as their name implies, the capability to cause destruction over a great area and to produce effects very different from those of conventional weapons. A weapon of mass destruction wmd is a weapon that can kill large numbers of humans andor cause great damage to manmade structures, natural structures, or the biosphere in general. Nuclear arms are weapons of mass destruction 1657 words.
Nuclear arms and weapons of mass destruction readex. During the next decade, proliferation will remain most acute in some of the worlds most volatile regions. The proliferation of these weapons is likely to be harder to prevent and thus potentially more prevalent. As the essays suggest as well, the possibility of terrorism by means of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction introduces other uncertainties into military and policy planning. United nations weapons of mass destruction nuclear, biological and chemical have plagued the human race since their invention and they still pose a threat today. As early as 9 february 1989, president george bush claimed that the spread and even use of sophisticated weaponry threatens global security as never before. With the advent of technology, terrorism has evolved to the use of sophisticated weaponry in. Richardson talked about the department of energys efforts to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Every so often, i look back on those horrific atrocities committed on september 11, 2001.
According to ion mihai pacepa, khrushchevs nuclear proliferation process started with communist china in april 1955, when the new ruler in the kremlin consented to supply beijing a sample atomic bomb and to help with its mass. The challenges of nuclear non proliferation weapons of mass destruction. The center for arms control and non proliferation has launched a brand new podcast nukes of hazard. Although india has not made any official statements about the size of its nuclear arsenal, recent estimates suggest that india has 140 nuclear weapons and has produced enough weapons grade plutonium for up to 150200 nuclear weapons. Its a 15minute biweekly roundup of the most important nuclear news and some lesser known stories on weapons of mass destruction history. The mandate given to this commission by congress was farreaching. Strategy to combat the proliferation of weapons of. Which emerging technologies are weapons of mass destruction. The financiers of proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction wmd traditionally have been states seeking to expand their military capabilities, often in defiance of international controls or treaties such as the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.
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. In 1969, muammar gaddafi seized control of libya and had ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons. That is enough to reach south korea, and parts of japan, russia, and china. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a direct threat to the national security of the united states, and other nations, and through numerous executive orders, acts of congress, and ofac regulations, economic and trade sanctions have been imposed upon wmd proliferators and their supporters.
In this book, two experts from the region explore why the matter remains unresolved, and outline. Freeing the world of nuclear, biological and chemical arms 2006, by weapons of mass destruction commission, contrib. The fear of these weapons is so profound that, on the one hand, it spawned an entirely new concept of conflict and conflict management in the form of deterrence. Mar 02, 2018 nuclear disarmament, the reduction and limitation of the various nuclear weapons in the military forces of the worlds nations.
An international trade monitoring agency could intercept weapons of mass destruction geoffiey forden the united states is winning the war against weapons of mass destruction proliferation john r. Deterrence and nuclear proliferation in the twentyfirst. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction ofac lawyer. The challenges of nuclear non proliferation joins others in rowman and littlefields weapons of mass destruction series to survey the many aspects of non proliferation agreements and how they work or dont work. Nuclear power and nuclear weapons of mass destruction bartleby.
Revelations about iraqi, north korean, south african, and israeli nuclear weapon programs, the possibility of a nuclear arms race in south asia, and the multidimensional conflicts. This is a legally binding global ban on all nuclear explosive testing. Comprehensive testban treaty ctbt september 24, 1996. Tactical nuclear weapons can have the explosive power of a fraction of a kiloton one. Roert hutchinson cuts through the technical jargon to explain why these weapons, be they nuclear, biological or chemical, pose such a deadly threat to us all today more than ever. The possibility of nuclear weapons in the persian gulf region continues to create a good deal of anxiety, and geoffrey kemp, director of the regional strategic program at the nixon center, constructs several scenarios for the future of irans nuclear weapons capability, with an eye toward how the regional and international environm ents might. This chapter examines the increasingly complex problem of the threat posed by nuclear weapons of mass destruction wmd in northeast asia. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction wmd technologies is by no means a new concern for the international community. North korea has a military nuclear weapons program and, as of early 2019, is estimated to have an arsenal of approximately 2030 nuclear weapons and sufficient fissile material for an additional 3060 nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons produce large explosions and hazardous radioactive byproducts by means of either nuclear fission or nuclear fusion. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has continued to give cause for concern even after the end of the cold war. Citing some important facts which are not debatable, rumsfeld asserted that the number of countries that are developing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction is.
I remember being in middle school, where the teachers were reluctant to inform us of what was going on. Nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation 92 words bartleby. Bolton the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction cannot be reversed steven latulippe nuclear proliferation will continue as. Nuclear biological chemical and missile proliferation sanctions.
Nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, or weapons of mass destruction wmd, present a serious danger in todays world. These repeated failures left egypt with two other optionsto lobby israel to sign the npt and dismantle its nuclear weapons and or to pursue other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, particularly chemical weapons. King idris of libya signed the non proliferation treaty npt in july 1968. This book outlines the findings of the bipartisan commission on the prevention of weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorism, established to build on the work of the 911 commission. Complexity and weapons of mass destruction in northeast. An important analysis for scholars, students, and researchers involved with defense, security, and foreign policy studies. This book is volume 1 of a series of books that address weapons of mass destruction wmd. This vital book examines why states seek to gain weapons of mass destruction, a crucial issue in developing strategies against proliferation. We were given a charter to assess, within 180 days, any and all of the nations activities, initiatives, and programs to prevent weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorism. Although india has not made any official statements about the size of its nuclear arsenal, recent estimates suggest that india has 140 nuclear weapons and has produced enough weaponsgrade plutonium for up to 150200 nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation 92 words. The potential effects of wmd proliferation on nato allies are one of the greatest threats nato. The use of economic sanctions to stem weapons proliferation acquired a new dimension in the 1990s.
Since the end of the cold war, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has become much more prominent in u. An essential research tool for a range of disciplines. Terrorist and weapons of mass destruction wmd terrorist and weapons of mass destruction wmd the 21 st century has been identified as posing great challenges to security and intelligence experts in the us with regard to the question that concerns terrorism and wmd. This chapter explores the link between weak states and weapons of mass destruction wmd proliferation, examining the threat of wmd proliferation, outlining various avenues by which both state and nonstate actors might attempt to acquire wmd, and exploring ways that state weakness could facilitate each proliferation pathway. The new threat posed by nuclear proliferation is the rapid rise in nonstate actors involvement in the proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. This is a multilateral treaty that requires, within a certain timeframe, the ultimate destruction of chemical weapons and the prohibition of development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. Revelations about iraqi, north korean, south african, and israeli nuclear weapon programs. This pertinent and topical volume takes a hardheaded look at the threat that india could face from these weapons. North korea has also stockpiled a significant quantity of chemical and biological weapons.
Nuclear arms are weapons of mass destruction 1657 words 7 pages. Khan supply network, that involvement includes illicit trafficking in nuclear and nuclear weapons related technology. Weapons of mass destruction book by robert hutchinson. Categorized as weapons of mass destruction wmds, they have the capability of leveling cities, killing millions, and destroying the environment for generations to come due to the extreme heat, blast wave, and ionizing radiation they release. 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. The fifth president of iraq, saddam hussein, was internationally condemned for his use of. Download this chapter pdf or read more about world opinion on proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. N uclear weapons are considered to be some of the worlds most dangerous armaments. In 2005, north koreas total range with its nodong missiles was estimated as 900 km with a 1,000 kg payload.
In 2003, north korea withdrew from the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear. Opinion on proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Sep 01, 2001 citing some important facts which are not debatable, rumsfeld asserted that the number of countries that are developing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction is. The challenges of nuclear nonproliferation weapons of. Nuclear weapons weapons of mass destruction book 1 ebook. Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons applicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as nuclear weapon states by the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the non proliferation treaty or npt. After the korean war, the soviet union transferred nuclear technology and weapons to the peoples republic of china as an adversary of the united states and nato. It focuses primarily on nuclear weapons, but also discusses chemical. A select list of books on nuclear weapons, nonproliferation. The atomic bombs dropped 1945 on japan by the united states in world war ii demonstrated the overwhelming destructive potential of nuclear weapons and the threat to humanity posed by the possibility of nuclear war and led to calls for controls on or elimination of.
While earlier legislation required the cutoff of foreign aid to countries engaged in specified nuclear proliferation activities and mentioned other sanctions as a possible mechanism for bringing countries into compliance with goals of treaties or international agreements, it was not until 1990. North koreas ability to deliver weapons of mass destruction to a hypothetical target is somewhat limited by its missile technology. For patriots like billy sinclair, the iraq war started o. Chapter 6 weapons of mass destruction national defense. North korea and weapons of mass destruction wikipedia.
Assessing the risks introduction frightening as they are, weapons of mass destruction taken here to be nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons represent only part of the worlds postcold war security problems. Nuclear arms can easily be classified as weapons of mass destruction, as they destroy all ecosystems that come in contact with it in a matter of seconds, this fairly new and evolving breed of warfare is continuously becoming a bigger threat to society due to the fact that. List of books and articles about nuclear nonproliferation. The term is often used to cover several weapon types, including nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological weapons. Complexity and weapons of mass destruction in northeast asia.
Buy a cheap copy of weapons of mass destruction book by robert hutchinson. Nuclear, biological and chemical nbc weapons have been elevated as a major issue of international concern in the postcold war era. Weapons of mass destruction use and proliferation challenges 7 i. Weapons of mass destruction proliferation countering the proliferation and use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. Guest blogger matthew brentzel takes a look at the capabilities of u. Oct 31, 2014 united nations weapons of mass destruction nuclear, biological and chemical have plagued the human race since their invention and they still pose a threat today. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction oxford scholarship. The atomic bombs dropped 1945 on japan by the united states in world war ii demonstrated the overwhelming destructive potential of nuclear weapons and the threat to humanity posed by the possibility of nuclear war and led to calls for controls on or elimination of such weapons. Indeed, since the signing of the nuclear non proliferation treaty in 1968, tremendous energies have been expended upon diplomatic efforts to create a web of treaties and international organizations regulating the production and stockpiling of wmd sensitive materials. Before the rollback of its clandestine nuclear program from late 2003, libya had a nuclear weapons program, allegedly to counter the covert israeli nuclear program. Leading experts examine specific countries and the interplay among political, economic, cultural and regional.
The text begins by defining the world conditions that foster proliferation, followed by an analysis of characteristics of various classes of wmds, including nuclear, biological, and. Nuclear weapons can be delivered by artillery, plane, ship, or ballistic missile icbm. Nuclear weapons are likely to play a more significant role in. He here considers the likelihood of conflict between north and south korea, china and taiwan, china and india, india and pakistan, israel and the arab states, as well as the nuclear status of other countries currently developing the scientific, technological and industrial infrastructure that would enable them to build weapons of mass destruction. In 1961, a nuclear bomb almost detonated over north carolina. India has developed and possesses weapons of mass destruction in the form of nuclear weapons. June 1, 2012 the risks of nuclear proliferation the further spread of nuclear weapons and weapons usable material, technology, and expertisederive in part from the technical characteristics of the nuclear fuel cycle and the national and international management of fuel cycle activities. 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. Assessing the risks introduction frightening as they are, weapons of mass destructiontaken here to be nuclear, chemical, and biological weaponsrepresent only part of the worlds postcold war security problems. The book provides an overview of nuclear weapons and answers many common questions. South africa and weapons of mass destruction wikipedia. Weapons of mass destruction prospects for proliferation. Before the anticipated changeover to a majorityelected african national congressled government in the 1990s, the south african government dismantled all of its nuclear weapons. International law and the proliferation of weapons of mass.
497 1360 41 208 880 1324 222 1149 519 1468 562 318 508 732 1046 463 490 1276 487 175 159 1261 946 1063 61 1277 738 663 283 1122 751 1131 3 1000 1248 974 1481 862 181 908 964 490 924 919 755 690 1250 925