Controlling WMD

1. Controlling WMD How effective have international conventions been? • The UN have helped to establish a number of treaties to control and reduce WMD. This includes: • A treaty banning development in space (1967) • Measures to prevent deployment of nuclear weapons on the ocean floor (1971) • A ban on biochemical warfare. • International conventions and treaties have attempted to control the spread and use of WMD. But there are problems in enforcing the treaties and some countries refuse to sign the treaties. • It is thought that various arms reduction treaties have reduced the number of WMD. • Agreements on nuclear arms cuts have resulted in the number of warheads mounted on missiles and bombers.

2. Treaties to control proliferation of WMD Problems with - Proliferation – The increase and spread of Nuclear weapons or other WMD. In the 1970’s the USA and the Soviet Union signed the Biological Weapons Convention which outlawed biological warfare. The USA complied but the Soviet Union initiated a secret, illegal programme which produced huge amounts of anthrax and other illegal chemicals. The programme was eventually stopped during the mid 90’s. The collapse of the Soviet Union left tens of thousands of scientists out of work and vast quantities of chemicals unaccounted for. What is to stop these poorly paid scientists selling their expertise and equipment to countries or terrorist groups.

3. Are WMD on the decline? • The number of WMD is declining by volume; stockpiles of WMD are now lower than what they were during the Cold War. • BUT as the superpowers reduced their stockpiles other countries began the process of creating their own WMD including chemical and biological not just nuclear programmes. • Other problems arise when trying to control WMD: • Most wars are fought in the developing world even though most weapons are developed in the West. Key terms: Arms race – the competition to achieve military supremacy by acquiring the most powerful weapons. The arms race after WW2 meant a huge stockpile of WMD. Arms proliferation – a rapid increase in the number of weapons. Arms control – a limit and or reduction of the number of weapons.

4. The Just War Theory and WMD Just war was developed for Christians to justify the taking up of arms. But recent developments in weaponry including the development of nuclear bombs and other WMD, raises the question ‘is Just war theory applicable to modern warfare?’ A war could be Just Use of WMD no war can be a Just War • Modern warfare if a last resort may be necessary to prevent from evil. • Freedom and civil liberties must be protected at all cost – may include using WMD. • The limited use of WMD may prevent more deaths by bringing a quick end to a war. • Compatible with Just war if they are used in self-defence as a deterrent to prevent nuclear war. • WMD may be the last resort – something Just war theory states. – examples? Hiroshima? • Who are the innocents in war? This is unclear – the workers who make the WMD? Taxpayers who pay for WMD? Voters who voted the governments? People who don’t speak out? Is anyone innocent? • Using WMD there will be no safety for non-combatants. • Innocents will suffer as WMD are indiscriminate by nature. • There would be little chance of success because of the wide spread devastation which will be caused from nuclear exchange. • What about proportionality? • It may not be lawful – nuclear war can only be won on the idea of surprise – if it is declared the enemy would know you were going to fire nuclear weapons and therefore may do it first.

5. Questions • How effective have the UN been in controlling WMD? • With reference to one religious viewpoint examine the claim that ‘Just war theory is compatible with modern warfare’ our religious stance here would be Christianity