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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Chemical warfare, past and future. Study project

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7303967

World War I was arena for the first use of chemical warfare. The enormous tactical success brought about by this first time use of chemical weapons caused the continued development of more sophisticated tactics and weapons in this category of unconventional warfare. This phenomenon has carried through to today. However, at present, because of technological developments, the global economic situation, and political factors, coupled with the inability of the western world to control the proliferation of chemical weapons, a situation weapon of mass destruction. Recent use by Iraq against Kurdish civilian indicates that chemical warfare is no longer limited to the battlefield. The western nations have a need to understand the risk. This paper conducts an analysis of past lessons and the factors which will affect the use of chemical warfare in the future. From this analysis, the paper reaches conclusions concerning the significant threat chemical weapons pose for the entire world in the not too distant future.

Research Organization:
Army War Coll., Carlisle Barracks, PA (United States)
OSTI ID:
7303967
Report Number(s):
AD-A-251052/7/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English