1st Edition

Nonproliferation Issues For Weapons of Mass Destruction

By Mark A. Prelas, Michael Peck Copyright 2005
    290 Pages 37 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Nonproliferation Issues for Weapons of Mass Destruction provides an understanding of WMD proliferation risks by bridging complex technical and political issues. The text begins by defining the world conditions that foster proliferation, followed by an analysis of characteristics of various classes of WMDs, including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. It then explores the effectiveness of arms control, discussing current nonproliferation problems, nonproliferation prior to the fall of the USSR, and weapons safeguards.

    The book analyzes the future of these weapons, discussing delivery systems and potential use by states, terrorist groups, and individuals. The text concludes with a discussion of what can be done to limit the impact of WMDs. This volume enables a realistic understanding of the relative risks that WMDs present to our way of life.

    INTRODUCTION
    The Shifting of Wealth
    The Proliferation of Technology
    The Change in the Methods of Warfare
    The Seeds of Change
    Energy and the Volatile Mix
    Conclusions
    References

    WHAT IS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION?
    Nuclear Weapons
    Dirty Bomb
    Biological Weapons
    Chemical Weapons
    Conclusions
    Appendix 2.1 Parties and Signatories to the Treaty on the
    Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons
    Appendix 2.2 Parties and Signatories to the Biological Weapons
    Convention
    References

    CHARACTERISTICS OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
    Nuclear Materials
    Radioactive Materials
    Dirty Bombs
    Biological Effects of Radiation
    Effects of a Nuclear Explosive
    Effects of a Dirty Bomb
    Conclusions
    Appendix 3.1 Separation Technologies
    References

    CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
    Biological Agents
    Production Equipment and Methods
    Uses of Biological Agents as a Weapon
    Conclusions
    References

    CHARACTERISTICS OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS
    Chemical Agents
    CW Munitions
    CW Use by States
    CW Use in Terrorism
    CW Use by Individuals
    Conclusions
    References

    EFFECTIVENESS OF ARMS CONTROL
    Nonproliferation Problems in the Present
    Nonproliferation Prior to the Fall of the USSR
    Treaties and Their Historical Impact
    Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Weapons Safeguards
    Conclusions
    References

    THE FUTURE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
    Nuclear Weapons
    Dirty Bombs
    Biological Weapons
    Chemical Weapons
    Oil as a Dominant Force in Proliferation
    Conclusions
    References

    WHAT CAN BE DONE TO LIMIT THE IMPACT OF WMDS?
    References

    Biography

    Mark A. Prelas, Michael S. Peck