Chemical weapons proliferation in the Middle East: What is the proper response. Study project

Technical Report · Mon Apr 09 04:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:6600324

DeShazer, M

The use of chemical weapons in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa in recent regional and ethnic conflicts illustrates the proliferation of chemical weapons and use in the Third World. The use of these weapons has been indiscriminate and intentionally directed at noncombatants and combatants. This paper will focus on chemical weapons proliferation in the Middle East. This paper assesses the motivations behind the proliferation and provides a perspective on the nature of the threat, as well as the role Western industry plays in facilitating the development and proliferation. The study points out that Middle East countries have greatly expanded their chemical capability and that they have every intention of using it. Moreover, foreign suppliers are providing assistance to these countries as negotiations are underway to decrease worldwide chemical armaments through a Chemical Weapons Treaty. Finally, the study suggests that the proper response ought to be a strategy with a multi-dimensional approach aimed at the political and economic sources of passion that drive nations in the Middle East to acquire chemical weapons.

• Research Organization: Army War Coll., Carlisle Barracks, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6600324
• Report Number(s): AD-A-223215/5/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350200* -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
AFRICA
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
CHEMICAL WARFARE
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMICS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MIDDLE EAST
NEGOTIATION
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROLIFERATION
TREATIES
WARFARE
WEAPONS