Common Sense on Weapons of Mass Destruction

by Graham, Ambassador Thomas, Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780295984667
• ISBN10: 029598466X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-30
• Publisher: Univ of Washington Pr

Summary

In out post-9/11 world of shoe bombers and cyber-terrorism, a crude nuclear device no larger than a small ball could devastate a major city. As we live in fear of attacks of unknown proportion, why does the public remain confused and complacent in the face of potential disaster? Ambassador Thomas Graham Jr. believes that a tide of misinformation has led to the public's lack of understanding of the vital issues. Here, in a straightforward and comprehensible style, Graham concisely provides the background necessary to understand the news and opinions surrounding WMDs. Common Sense on Weapons of Mass Destruction presents accessible, up-to-date facts on: nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism chemical and biological weapons land mines and small arms missile defence and WMDs in outer space WMDs in the Middle East and Asia Thomas Graham Jr. served for several decades as general counsel and then acting director of the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. He was also President Clinton's special ambassador for nuclear disarmament issues. Graham's work culminated in the 1995 agreement to extend indefinitely the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970.

Author Biography

Thomas Graham, Jr. served for several decades as general counsel and acting director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Introduction	3	(114)
1 The Problems of Our Time: Nuclear Proliferation and Nuclear Terrorism	9	(11)
2 The Effects of Nuclear Weapons	20	(10)
3 An Overview of International Law and Arms Control	30	(20)
4 The Cornerstone of Security: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty	50	(13)
5 The Political Value of Nuclear Weapons	63	(11)
6 Stopping Nuclear Explosions: The Test Ban	74	(12)
7 Missile Defense	86	(13)
8 Outer Space	99	(10)
9 Cleaning Up After Past Wars: Land Mines and Small Arms	109	(8)
10 Poison Gas and Microbes: Chemical and Biological Weapons	117	(8)
11 Controlling Nuclear Materials: The Situation in Russia	125	(8)
12 Regional Issues: Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East and Nuclear Weapons in South and Northeast Asia	133	(12)
13 America's Role	145	(7)
Conclusion	152	(3)
Epilogue	155	(3)
Acknowledgments	158	(2)
Appendix 1. Global Nuclear Status	160	(2)
Appendix 2. Global Nuclear Stockpiles	162	(3)
Appendix 3. Weapon Development Milestones	165	(4)
Chronology	169	(8)
Glossary	177	(18)
Index	195