Threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction - Essay Example

How great is the threat to Western nations today from 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' Threat from Weapons of Mass Destruction ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’, is a term which refers to weapons that have the capability to wipe out large areas of population. The US Military refers to weapons of mass destruction as ‘Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives or nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons, but exclude the means of transporting or propelling the weapon where such means is a separable and divisible part of the weapon’. Weapons of mass destruction or WMD, comprises of nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) and, increasingly, radiological weapons. The first use of Weapons of Mass Destruction was in the Second World War, when the United States, used the atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it was this action that led to victory against the Nazi forces. Throughout the Cold war, the United States and the Soviet Union desisted from using these weapons because, if either party had used such weapons, it would have resulted in a similar retaliation. This would lead to an all out war that destroyed huge segments of the world’s population. The following article look into how the term ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’, surfaced in recent times and its impending threat to all countries. This also discusses the step required to reduce and finally eliminate this threat, the challenges faced in doing so, the action taken by the world community towards this goal and the effects of such actions. How do weapons of mass destruction pose a threat to the world community? “If a simple nuclear device were detonated in a major city, the number of deaths would range from tens of thousands to more than one million. The shock to international commerce, employment and travel would amount to at least one trillion dollars” - David Kreiger’s report entitled Erosion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime, based on The United Nations report.1 During the period of the Gulf War, the term Weapons of Mass Destruction surfaced, but it had a fairly antique aura about it and mainly referred to the stockpiles of an the Soviet Union and specifically, the chemical weapons that were in Iraq, under Saddam Hussein’s regime. It was only after the September 11 attacks on the United States that the fear of WMD started to come into focus, during political campaigns and social movements. At this time, it also started to shape political policies and was consequently used to justify the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against "rogue states" thought to be in danger of possessing or developing them. The concerns of WMDs arise from the fact that they go hand-in-hand with terrorism. Weapons of mass destruction, such as Anthrax, smallpox, botulism, sarin gas, suitcase nuclear devices and so on are indiscriminate by nature. They threaten to wipe out entire sections of the population. . When they are used to terrorists, they are aimed at innocent people who become unsuspecting victims in such attacks. Rogue States and how they threaten International peace by possessing WMD’s Rogue states are states which threaten world peace, due to their interest in developing weapons of mass destruction. According to U.S. President George Bush, describes the threat posed by rogues state to the international community as “Deadly challenges”2. They have certain characteristics, which make them threaten world peace and these are: They terrorize their won people, and their natural resource are squandered by the despotic rulers for personal gains. They have no concern for international law, create problems with their neighbors, and do not care of violating international treaties to which they are party. Show interest in using weapons of mass destruction and other advanced military technology, to display their power in their Willing to promote terrorism and sponsor or fund terrorist activities around the globe Do no have the slightest inclination for human values and rights and dislike to United States and everything for which it stands During the last six months of the Clinton administration, the term ‘Rogue states’ was replaced with the term ‘States of Concern’. However, the Bush administration reverted back to the same term when it came to power. As of the year 2000, there were four states identified as Rogue States and these were: Iraq – Iraq was considered a rogue state because it was suspected of having intentions to develop nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Despite undergoing UN weapons inspections and having sanctions imposed on it, it was viewed as a threat to the stability of the gulf region and world peace. Iran – Deep suspicions exist between US and Iran, in spite of the emergence of moderate elements in Iran. It has been put down in the US State Department list as a state that sponsors terrorism. North Korea – This country has been very secretive abut its weapons programs. There is a lot of concern on it’s willingness to export sensitive technology to other rogue states, in return for money. Though, during the Clinton administration, progress was made through dialogues, the change in administration turned the course of event. Libya – In the 1980’s Libya was considered to be a dangerous state, owing to the policies of it leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The United States suspected it of wanting to develop weapons and being involved in activities, which intended to destabilize the Middle East. Gorge Bush in his address on June 2002, chalked out a set of comprehensive policies that the United States, will be following to effectively counter the threat posed by Rogue States and to combat the problems of weapons of mass destruction. Proactive counter proliferation efforts. This means taking steps beforehand to counter the threats of mass destruction. These steps involve taking actions which will deter and defend against the threat of WMD’s, before they can be unleashed by rouge states. This includes training, and equipping United States forces and those of their allies to ensure their victory in any conflict with WMD-armed adversaries. Strengthened nonproliferation efforts: This is required to prevent rogue states and terrorists from acquiring the materials, technologies, and expertise necessary for developing and deploying weapons of mass destruction. These efforts include increasing steps in diplomacy, arms control, multilateral export controls, and threat reduction. Furthermore, it actions must also be taken to impede states and terrorists seeking WMD, destroy such enabling technologies and materials. In, order to carry out this successfully, it is necessary to for them to build coalitions, which support these efforts. They must also increase their political and financial support for nonproliferation and threat reduction programs. Effective consequence management: This means taking steps to reduce the effects of WMD used against the people of the United States, in order to effectively deter those who possess such weapons. Such steps will dissuade those who seek to acquire them by making it clear that enemies cannot attain their desired ends using WMD’s. Countries which have WMD capabilities Here’ is a look at the countries which will be considered by the United States and its allies in the international community who look to non-proliferation of WMD’s bfcause they possess chemical, biological and nuclear capabilities. It is the countries in the Middle East, which have been largely in the focus as having weapons of mass destruction. These countries include Libya, Iraq, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria and Turkey. Out of these countries, ones which were considered most dangerous include Iraq and Libya. The threat from Iraq was neutralized because, the Iraqi regime was defeated. The war against Iraq made Libya change its policy on pursuing to develop weapons of mass destruction. The Libyan government opened up and allowed the Americans and the Russians from the International Atomic Energy Agency to come in and inspect what they were doing and then shut down their WMD plants. This leaves how the remaining eight countries stand on the issue of developing Weapons of Mass Destruction. Countries Algeria, Egypt, Syria and Turkey are in the research stage of developing nuclear weapons. Iran is actively developing nuclear weapons and Israel actually has nuclear weapons. In terms of nuclear weapons, of these eight, there are four that are considered to be in the research stage—the very earliest stage. These are Algeria, Egypt, Syria and Turkey. When it comes to biological weapons, Algeria is only in the research stage, but countries Egypt, Iran and Syria are in the development stage. These countries are also more inclined to the development of chemical weapons. Countries involved in the chemical weapons include Algeria, Egypt, Syria, Israel and Iran. Algeria is almost completing it research on such weapons and is going to move into developing them. Israel is already producing them and Egypt has it own stockpile of such weapons. Iran and Syria have actively deployed chemical weapons. Out of all these countries mentioned in the Middle East as being involved in the research or development of nuclear weapons, it is Iran that stands out because it is developing nuclear weapons and biological weapons. Furthermore it has deployed chemical weapons and this was seen during the war that it had with Iraq during the 1980s. Moving on the North-East Asia, the country which poses a threat is North Korea. With North-Korea, the nuclear stand-off is a high-stakes, no-bluff game and the potential threat of a disaster is greater than what is posed by Iraq. “These suspected weapons of mass destruction pose an immediate threat to North Korea's neighbors -- China, Russia, South Korea and Japan -- all taking part in the Beijing talks, along with the United States.” – CNN, North Korea: What are the options.3 In the Subcontinent, India, Chine and Pakistan are also big giants in the development of nuclear weapons. India also has the capability for deploying biological and chemical weapons. Both countries have not signed or ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Reasons why countries develop Weapons of Mass Destruction There are several reasons as to why countries wish to develop weapons of mass destruction. Here’s a brief look at these reasons: Countries which are torn by conflict resort to developing WMDs. This is because possessing such weapons will enable them to threaten their rival nations in the region. This leads to rival within the same region also wanting to acquire the same capabilities. For example, Israel, which as nuclear capabilities is in conflict with its Arab neighbors. Israel has deployed many nuclear weapons, which are quite sophisticated and these include delivery systems with rockets and ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles). The Israelis have launched satellites into space, and this gives them the capability to launch a ballistic missile anywhere in the world. They have a very sophisticated, advanced air power, which can be used to deliver these weapons. Looking at these weapons capabilities of Israel, other counties in the region feel the need to develop some kind of response in order to prove their strength in this political scenario. Countries develop WMDs for the sake of international prestige. For example in Pakistan, there were massive street demonstrations and great joy was displayed because, after Pakistan exploded a nuclear devise because they now had an atomic bomb and cold now compete with the West. The same was also seen in India, after a series of nuclear bomb was exploded WMD’s are developed to counter American military superiority. For example, in Iran, many people look at the Iraq war as one which was lost because the Iraqis did not possess WMD’s. Countries develop WMD’s for domestic reasons. The leaders of certain countries come from Military Backgrounds and are as such interested in developing the military capabilities of the country and turning the development of weapons into an institution. These reasons make it very essential for the international community, to take active steps in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and also limiting the proliferation of their components and delivery systems. However, there are more complex issues which the international community has to face having to deal with regards to the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. A look at the challenges faced by the world community in eliminating the threat of WMD’s and terrorism at large Today there are many countries possessing WMDs and in addition to them there are terrorist groups, which have access to equipment, materials, and technologies needed for WMD programs. Terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda, are very involved in trying to procure nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons. If they are able to acquire these weapons, they would definitely use them. It takes a terrorist only once to strike terror, but the international community has to take 100% steps to stop them completely. “A very critical part of the equation that you might want to think about is who has missiles, who is trying to develop missiles and how far can those missiles go. What’s really threatening is not just having a nuclear weapon. A group can be given a nuclear weapon, but they still have to get it into the United States somehow.” – David Dessler, Survey of weapons of mass destruction.4 Its no longer rouge states or a couple of countries that have nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons capabilities, but also private individuals and entities, can get access to the. These individuals or entities have established an illegal networks of brokers, front organizations, and manufacturers in order to procure WMDs. These networks operate in such a way that they cannot be detected by a country’s export control systems. The most notorious of such black market operations is found around the Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan. His network is seen to operate in Western Europe, Turkey, South Africa, Dubai, and many more countries. A look at some solutions to the challenges and threats posed by WMD’s The threat imposed by the Weapons of Mass Destruction still continues, despite the Iraq war and subsequent change in attitude of many countries in developing Weapons of Mass Destruction. Here’s a look at some of the steps that can be taken to solve the problem: The first steps would be to establish a multilateral approach to the issues of nuclear nonproliferation. This means expanding the Nuclear Non proliferation treaty to include points which look into the current going-ons in the world community. Implementing tighter controls so that potential sellers of nuclear weapons do not get the chance to sell them and also providing them with incentive to stop such selling. This will automatically limit the access of non-state actors or terrorists to nuclear material States which are suspected of having nuclear technology should be offered security and other incentive that dissuade them from developing nuclear weapons on a large scale. Stronger support must be given to the nuclear control regime and the work of the IAEA. Ad hoc solutions for the threat posed by WMD’s must also be looked into. Incentives must be provided to all states who want to purse peaceful nuclear technology, along with careful monitoring of these developments Robust inspection capabilities, proper and patient negotiations with countries having capacities to develop WMD’s and avoiding double standards in such negotiations is necessary to put non-proliferation in full swing Cooperation must be established between states and the private sector to limit access of nuclear technology to non-state actors and terrorists Reducing large nuclear stockpiles, especially in the US and Russia and the development of new non-nuclear technology systems is necessary to encourage members of the world community to seriously consider disarming their nuclear weapons capabilities So, far the steps to counter the threat of WMD’s have been countered by the international conventions and treaties. Following is a list of such treaties and convention: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) Outer Space Treaty Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) Seabed Arms Control Treaty Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Out of these treaties, the most important treaty that stands out in eliminating the threat of WMD’s is the NPT. This is also because Nuclear power is also something which is vied by many countries in the world. A look at Nuclear Non–Proliferation Treaty as a way to reduce the threat of WMDs Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty is a treaty by Ireland and was open for signature from countries around the world from July 1, 1968. Its aim was to prevent the spread and development of nuclear weapons by countries around the world. The treaty is based on three important principles which include non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to peacefully use nuclear technology. About 188 sovereign states are parties to the treaty. However, two confirmed nuclear powers - India and Pakistan have not signed or ratified the treaty. Israel is one unconfirmed nuclear power and this country also has not signed nor ratified the treaty. If lack of compliance with existing commitments, withdrawal or threats of withdrawal from the NPT continues, then the very effectiveness of the treaty may be lost. This is very clearly stated in the United Nations Report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change which states “We are approaching a point at which the erosion of the non-proliferation regime could become irreversible and result in a cascade of proliferation.” In order to prevent this, the following steps are required: Bring back three nuclear weapons states that are not parties to the treaty (Israel, India and Pakistan) into the treaty Bring back North Korea to sign the treaty Nuclear weapons states which have signed the treaty must fulfill their obligations in nuclear disarmament Steps must be taken to more effectively safeguard nuclear materials and imposing stringent inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency Taking steps to impose sanctions for violating the provisions laid down in the Treaty’s. These issue were detailed in the May 2005 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference and needs to be strictly followed to ensure the success of NPT. Conclusion Tougher measures than those mentioned above, can be implemented by strengthening the existing multilateral export control regimes such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime. Not only is it important to support existing multilateral export control regimes s, it is equally important for effective export control systems to be established throughout the world. Only when this is done is it possible to stop WMDs from being developed such as in Malaysia where precision centrifuge components are being produced. Deficiencies in individual countries' export control systems must be identified and assistance should be provided to help them remedy those shortcomings. It is important to speed up the implementation of UN Resolution 1540 must be speeded up. This resolution makes it necessary for all UN member states to put in place effective export control systems. Most important way to prevent the threat of WMDs is to find and eradicate the terrorists themselves. An example is the Al-Quida and its global network. The material required for making WMDs must be secured and steps must be take to prevent their theft, seizure, or sabotage. This has been the key point of bilateral U.S.-Russian Nunn-Lugar programs which began in the early 1990s and in the G-8 Global Partnership which began in 2002. The process of adopting strong physical protection measures against potentially dangerous pathogen weapons, securing chemical weapons stocks pending destruction under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and finding, secure or destroying radiological sources that could be used in dirty bombs must be continued to the fullest extent to ensure safety of people by and large. The threat caused by weapons of mass destruction is a potential threat. Imagine if, the September 11th attacked had been done using WMD’s. This is indeed a frightening aspect that needs to be eliminated at all cost. Every country, that possesses nuclear, chemical and biological warfare ,even rouge states know about the devastation that it will cause and but have so far not attempted to use it, though their activities give an indication that they are ready to use WMD’s, if provoked to do so or of their demands are not met with. This potential threat can be stopped by looking into what prompts such countries to develop nuclear weapons, their social infrastructure and their history to provide a solution on these lines and eliminate the threat of WMD’s, in addition to posing sanctions and enforcing stricter laws against terrorism. Bibliography Sagan, S.D, 'Why do States Build Nuclear Weapons?'. 54-86. Sagan, S.D., & S. Douglas, The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Rogue States Weapons of Mass Destruction Analysis: The new bogeymen Weapons of mass destruction and international law's principle that civilians cannot be targeted North Korea: What are the options? Prevent Our Enemies from Threatening Us, Our Allies, and Our Friends with Weapons of Mass Destruction Erosion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime http://www.wagingpeace.org/articles/2005/02/00_krieger_erosion-npt.htm Terrorism http Survey of weapons of mass destruction Read More