Common Sense on Weapons of Mass Destruction

In our post-9/11 world of shoe bombers and cyberterrorism, a crude nuclear device no larger than a baseball could devastate a major city. As we live in fear of attacks of unknown proportion, why do people 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 defense and WMDs in outer space

-WMDs in the Middle East and Asia

Thomas Graham Jr. served for several decades as general counsel and acting director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. He was President Clinton's special ambassador for nuclear disarmament issues, and his work culminated in the agreement to indefinitely extend the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Graham is special counsel at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in Washington, DC, and teaches classes in international law and arms control.

Foreword

Introduction

1. The Problems of Our Time: Nuclear Proliferation and Nuclear Terrorism

2. The Effects of Nuclear Weapons

3. An Overview of International Law and Arms Control

4. The Cornerstone of Security: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

5. The Political Value of Nuclear Weapons

6. Stopping Nuclear Explosions: The Test Ban

7. Missile Defense

8. Outer Space

9. Cleaning Up After Past Wars: Land Mines and Small Arms

10. Poison Gas and Microbes: Chemical and Biological Weapons

11. Controlling Nuclear Materials: The Situation in Russia

12. Regional Issues: Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East and Nuclear Weapons in South and Northeast Asia

13. America's Role

Conclusion

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Appendix 1. Global Nuclear Status

Appendix 2. Global Nuclear Stockpiles

Appendix 3. Weapon Development Milestones

Chronology

Glossary

Index