Chemical warfare: a new national policy for America
In a broad sense, the use of chemicals in war dates back almost to the beginning of recorded military history. Fire, smoke, and battlefield obscurants were used quite effectively throughout the course of military operations. However, chemical weapons, as we think of them today, first appeared during World War I. After World War I and during the interwar period, the warring parties, recognizing the awesome potential of chemical weapons on the battlefield, initiated programs to develop and stockpile arsenals of these munitions for possible use during future conflicts. An objective analysis of the respective offensive and defensive chemical capabilities of the United States and the Soviet Union might suggest that this nation's 'non-first use' chemical weapons policy warrants re-evaluation, particularly when viewed at levels of conflict above the tactical.
- Research Organization:
- Army Command and General Staff Coll., Fort Leavenworth, KS (USA). School of Advanced Military Studies
- OSTI ID:
- 6750928
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-195563/2/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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