Chemical Weapons: The legacy of Operation Desert Storm. Final report

Technical Report · Fri Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5345272

Henscheid, M R

United States and allied forces deploying in the 1991 War in the Persian Gulf region faced a formidable Iraqi offensive chemical weapons capability. This threat immediately challenged U.S. policy and resolve as outlined in the 1990 bilateral chemical weapons treaty with the Soviet Union. The necessity to assess retaliatory options, in the event of Iraqi chemical use, was apparent, and are evaluated in this analysis. The proliferation of chemical weapons worldwide, disarmament efforts, and chemical defense readiness are also reviewed in the context of the 1991 Gulf War. The conclusion that retaliation by conventional means alone as the only acceptable alternative supporting the presidential goal of increased stability in the Middle East is reached. Prospects for revitalized post-war multilateral chemical disarmament efforts, and a reduction in chemical warfare proliferation are also assessed. Recommendations for a post-war national chemical defense policy are made.

• Research Organization: Naval War Coll., Newport, RI (United States). Dept. of Operations
• OSTI ID: 5345272
• Report Number(s): AD-A-236500/5/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
ARMS CONTROL
MILITARY STRATEGY
PROLIFERATION
IRAQ
CHEMICAL WARFARE
CONVENTIONAL WARFARE
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
IRAN
MIDDLE EAST
NATIONAL DEFENSE
PERSIAN GULF
POLITICAL ASPECTS
STABILITY
TREATIES
USA
USSR
WARFARE
ARABIAN SEA
ASIA
COOPERATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EUROPE
INDIAN OCEAN
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WEAPONS
350000* - Arms Control- (1987-)
350200 - Arms Control- Proliferation- (1987-)
450600 - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical & Biological- (1990)