Weapons of Mass Destruction

by Kort, Michael; Nolan, Cathal J.

• ISBN13: 9780816078271
• ISBN10: 0816078270
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-04-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

Whether nuclear, biological, or chemical in nature, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) have been used by groups and governments for centuries. They represent the most advanced and dangerous weapons offered by contemporary scientists and engineers. The fears surrounding WMDs are more pertinent today than ever before. Although many governments adhere to strict international treaties regarding the management of their stocks, rogue governments and terrorist groups represent an unpredictable and volatile variable. The potential damage of these weapons is too great a risk to be taken lightly, and their existence remains a grave concern for the global community.

Author Biography

Frank Lahiffe studied law and publicrelations and has held positions in advertising marketing, public relations and journalism. He was appointed by successive Governments as adviser to Seamus Brennan throughout an entire Government career which spanned 21 years (1987-2008) across nine Government departments.

After leaving Government service on the retirement of Seamus Brennan, Frank went on to become a Public Affairs Consultant with his own business, Lahiffe & Associates, Public Affairs and Political Communications.
Michael Kort is a professor of social science at Boston University and holds a Ph.D. in history from New York University. He is the author of the Soviet Colossus: A History of the USSR, Sixth Edition and Facts On File's A Brief History of Russia.
Foreword author Cathal J. Nolan is an associate professor of history at Boston University and executive director of the International History Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in international history and international relations and a diploma in international human rights. Nolan has published extensively in the field of international relations and global affairs and won the 2006 Outstanding Teaching Award for the Honors Program at Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences.

Table of Contents

List of Maps, Graphs, and Tables	p. vii
Foreword	p. ix
List of Acronyms	p. xiii
At Issue
Introduction	p. 3
Old and New Weapons of Mass Destruction	p. 3
What are Weapons of Mass Destruction?	p. 4
Chemical Weapons	p. 7
Biological Weapons	p. 9
Nuclear Weapons	p. 11
Impact of a Nuclear Bomb: If a Nuclear Bomb Hit New York	p. 18
WMD Use in Warfare through World War II	p. 19
WMD Use since World War II	p. 24
Focus on the United States	p. 36
Key Issues	p. 36
History and Current Arsenals	p. 36
U.S. Strategies for Combating WMD	p. 54
Global Perspectives	p. 65
Russia	p. 65
Israel and the Middle East	p. 81
India and Pakistan	p. 96
North Korea	p. 106
Primary Sources
United States Documents	p. 125
International Documents	p. 183
International Treaties	p. 183
Treaties between the United States and the Soviet Union	p. 200
Israel	p. 223
India and Pakistan	p. 227
North Korea	p. 237
Research Tools
How to Research Weapons of Mass Destruction	p. 245
Getting Started	p. 245
Breadth before Depth	p. 247
Credentials and Credibility	p. 247
Sources of Information	p. 248
Facts and Figures	p. 253
International	p. 253
U.S. and Soviet/Russian Arsenals	p. 257
Key Players A to Z	p. 266
Organizations and Agencies	p. 278
Annotated Bibliography	p. 294
General Historical Overviews	p. 295
What are Weapons of Mass Destruction?	p. 297
Modern Weapons of Mass Destruction	p. 299
U.S. Chemical and Biological Weapons Programs	p. 306
U.S. Nuclear Weapons Program	p. 309
Soviet/Russian Chemical and Biological Weapons Programs	p. 314
Soviet/Russian Nuclear Weapons Program	p. 317
The Unstable Middle East	p. 319
Israeli Chemical and Biological Weapons Programs	p. 321
Israeli Nuclear Weapons Program	p. 322
The Chemical and Biological Weapons Programs of India and Pakistan	p. 323
The Nuclear Weapons Programs of India and Pakistan	p. 324
North Korea's Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Weapons Programs	p. 326
Chronology	p. 328
Glossary	p. 343
Index	p. 353
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Whether nuclear, biological, or chemical in nature, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) have been used by groups and governments for centuries. They represent the most advanced and dangerous weapons offered by contemporary scientists and engineers. The fears surrounding WMDs are more pertinent today than ever before. Although many governments adhere to strict international treaties regarding the management of their stocks, rogue governments and terrorist groups represent an unpredictable and volatile variable. The potential damage of these weapons is too great a risk to be taken lightly, and their existence remains a grave concern for the global community.Weapons of Mass Destructionexamines the biggest concerns governments must address concerning WMDs. The book first discusses the history of these weapons, their use by ancient and medieval armies, and how they have evolved over time. The second chapter examines how the United States has handled WMDs over time, including its attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in an attempt to end World War II. It also summarizes current U.S. policy regarding WMDs, the arsenal it currently possesses, and how it would cope with and respond to a WMD attack. The third chapter offers an international perspective, with case studies of how Russia, Israel and the Middle East, India and Pakistan, and North Korea have determined their approach toward these weapons. These case studies reveal how each region and country depends on its neighbors' vigilance and responsibility to prevent a worldwide catastrophe. Part II offers a selection of primary source documents and part III assembles useful research tools.

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Excerpted from Weapons of Mass Destruction by Michael Kort
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