The use of chemical weapons in the Iran-Iraq War, followed by the Rabta controversy in Libya and the threat of chemical and biological attack during the Gulf War, dramatised the consequences of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. Although the use of these weapons has been banned by...

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Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Spiers, Edward M. (Author)
Format:	Book
Language:	English
Published:	New York St. Martin's Press 1994
Edition:	1. publ. in the United States of America
Subjects:	Biological Warfare Agents > United States Biological weapons Chemical Warfare Agents > United States Chemical weapons Gulf War > United States Persian Gulf War, 1991 > Biological warfare Persian Gulf War, 1991 > Chemical warfare Golfkrieg > 1990-1991 Verbot Proliferation > Militär Chemische Waffe Biologische Waffe Nonproliferation Sicherheitspolitik USA United States > Military policy
Summary:	The use of chemical weapons in the Iran-Iraq War, followed by the Rabta controversy in Libya and the threat of chemical and biological attack during the Gulf War, dramatised the consequences of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. Although the use of these weapons has been banned by the Geneva Protocol (1925), they still have attractions for some states and pose risks to regional neighbours or intervention forces. In this work the risks and attractions are evaluated, the difficulties of curbing their spread examined, and the reaction to the Rabta revelations assessed. The Gulf War is analysed in depth, including the allied response to the Iraqi threat, the non-use of chemical and biological weapons during the war, and the lessons of the conflict. Finally, the evolution of American chemical weapons policy and the likely impact of the Chemical Weapons Convention is considered in light of the inherently dynamic nature of the weaponry and the flexibility of its use.
Physical Description:	IX, 250 S.
ISBN:	0312121210