The Challenge of Chemical Weapons

This book traces through a 100+ year history of evolving chemical weapons technology, public attitudes toward these weapons, attempts to negotiate controls on them, and important instances in which nations chose to use or forego the use of chemical weapons. It then analyzes the potential deterrent role of chemical weapons for NATO, and the political-military roles that chemical weapons might play in the third world. It also profour major challenges arising from chemical and biological weapons. The first is to continue modernizing the West's chemical weapons despite the apparent reduction in the threat posed by the Soviet Union, until a chemical arms control ban can be agreed and implemented. The second challenge is how to cope with the possibility of far more destructive warfare between the rapidly growing number of third world friends and allies that have chemical weapons. The third challenge is gaining global acceptance of a chemical weapons ban given the military and political benefits continuing advance of chemical and biological knowledge and manufacturing technology could eventually give small groups and even individuals the capability to kill everyone on earth.
The greatest challenge of all will be to create institutions and procedures that can head off this frightening prospect.