Forum:
GA1
Issue:
Preventing the acquisition of
non-conventional weapons
Student Officer:
Ethan Reich
Position:
Academics Committee
________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Non-conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction pose a huge threat to global
security and peace. The danger of non-conventional weapons and WMD’s (weapons of
mass destruction) is the disproportionality they create in conflict as well as the enormous
negative effect they can have on human life (mostly civilians) in conflict, have lead to them
becoming a central discussion point in international politics and diplomacy. One of the
earliest examples of the use of unconventional weapons was in the form of biological
weaponry in the United States (1763), when British officers conspired to distribute blankets
covered in small pox. It is evident that the use of non-conventional and mass destruction
weapons is not a new concept; however, in recent years, the stockpiling of nuclear, chemical
and biological weapons with the capability of inflicting mass casualties, have created a
multitude of issues that act as a road block towards global peace and security.
Definition of key terms
Non-conventional weapons
Commonly refers to weapons that are not in widespread use in conventional warfare, the
term is most often used in referring weapons of mass destruction (WMD’s).
Weapons of mass destruction
Weapons of mass destruction, also known as WMD’s are several different types of weapons
that can be chemical, nuclear or biological in nature but share two distinctive qualities which
are their potential for large scale destruction and the indiscriminate nature of their effects
most notably against civilians. The military groups together Nuclear, biological and chemical
weapons/warfare under the acronym NBC and considers all of them to be WMD’s.
Biological warfare
Biological warfare, also known as “germ warfare”, commonly refers to the use of biological
toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, virus and fungi with the aim to kill, maim or
incapacitate human, plants or animals in order to support a war effort or as an act of war.
Biological weapons
Biological weapons, also commonly referred to as “bio-weapons”, “biological threat agents”
and/or bio agents, are the weapons with which Biological warfare is conducted. Biological
weapons are living biological organisms or other self replicating entities such as viruses
(which are not universally accepted as living). The use of biological weapons can be both
lethal and nonlethal, and are often used to gain a strategic or tactical advantage over an
enemy through threats of use or actual usage.
Chemical warfare
Chemical warfare is the utilization of the toxic properties of some chemical substance as a
weapon of war kill, maim or incapacitate individuals, several people or entire populations.
Many nations worldwide stockpile chemical weapons in order to prepare for use in a wartime
scenario.
Chemical weapons
Chemical weapons are specialized munitions that utilize chemicals in order to inflict death or
harm on humans or animals. Chemical weapons are any toxic chemical that has the
potential to cause death, injury, incapacitation, or sensory irritation. Chemical weapons are
often dispersed in the medium of gas. Nerve gas, tear gas and pepper spray are all modern
examples of chemical weapons. The production, use and stockpiling of chemical weapons is
banned globally under the chemical weapons conventions act (1933). However, despite this,
large stockpiles of chemical weapons still exist, and police forces around the world still use
tear gas and pepper spray.
Chemical weapons convention
A collection of articles and annexes that form a convention that aims to abolish the use of
chemical weapons and achieve chemical disarmament by forcing all member states that
have agreed to the convention to cease development, acquisition, production, stockpiling,
transfer, and retention or use of chemical weapons.
Biological weapons convention
A convention which received its first signature in 1972 being the first multilateral
disarmament treaty banning the production of an entire category of weapons, which banned
the production, development, and stockpiling of biological weapons.
Nuclear warfare
A form of warfare where radiological weapons are used between two or more nations to
inflict mass damage on the population with disregard for whether or not the targets are
military or civilian. Nuclear warfare causes an incredibly high number of casualties in a short
amount of time.
Nuclear fallout
Leftover radioactive material from a radiological weapon thats is pushed into the upper
atmosphere due to the force of the blast that then falls back to earth or “falls out” of the sky
after the explosion and shock wave have passed, which in turn can cause a nuclear winter
(a hypothesis that suggests that the detonation of several nuclear weapons and that the
firestorms that would ensue the detonation could cause a global-climatic-cooling-effect).
Nuclear weapons
An explosive device that harnesses its destructive capabilities from nuclear reactions.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, otherwise known as the
Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT, is an international treaty with the aims of preventing the
spread of nuclear weapons, promoting peace and cooperation as well as understanding the
positive uses of nuclear technology, with an overarching goal of achieving both complete
nuclear disarmament and disarmament of conventional arms.
1
General overview
Nuclear fission (not to be confused with nuclear fusion, which is a different type of nuclear
reaction), was a nuclear reaction that was discovered in 1938 by German chemists Otto
Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, and its theoretical explanation by ​Lise Meitner​ and ​Otto Frisch​,
made the development of an ​atomic bomb​ a possibility. Nuclear fission would be an integral
part of developing the atom bomb/fission bomb (type of nuclear weapon). The reaction of
nuclear fission results in incredibly large amounts of energy being released. After the
discovery of nuclear fission in the early years of World War 2 many feared that the Germans
would be the first to develop an atomic bomb. Because of this the United States, Canada,
and the UK scrambled to discover how to weaponise the discovery in order to support the
war effort with their own nuclear research and development project known as the Manhattan
project.
The United States detonated the first successful atomic bomb on July 16th 1945. On the 6th
of August 1945 it became the first nation to use a radiological weapon in combat when they
dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, and then on Nagasaki on the 9th of August
1
​Sibilla, C. (2016) ​The fight for non-proliferation begins at home - association for diplomatic studies
and training. Available at: ​http://adst.org/2016/02/the-fight-for-non-proliferation-begins-at-home/
(Accessed: 16 January 2017).
1945. The United States’ actions showed the whole world that not only had the US
successfully developed atomic weapons, but also their raw destructive power. This created
widespread fear amongst nations that did not have nuclear weapons, as it allowed one
nation with such weapons to wield incredible destructive power. It also pushed many nations
to begin developing their own nuclear weapons in what was know as the global nuclear arms
race, a term used to refer to several global nations attempting to achieve the goal of nuclear
warfare supremacy from 1947-1991 (the Cold War). Eventually, the US and the USSR were
the largest producer of nuclear warheads in the world, as no other nations were able to keep
up with the production ability of the superpowers.
The military strategy employed by the United States and Russia (and their respective allies
during the Cold War), and the use of nuclear weapons, was referred to as nuclear
deterrence theory. This was a strategy that stated that one nation with nuclear weapons
could deter other nations from attacking it with the threat of using nuclear weapons in
retaliation. This lead to many nations building up their nuclear arsenal until eventually, both
the US and Russia each possessed several thousand nukes (the USSR possessed 40,000
nuclear weapons at its peak and the US possessed 31,225), creating what we now know as
mutual assured destruction (MAD). In the 1950’s, both the USSR and the US had produced
enough nuclear weapons to wipe out the other. Both sides had also developed the capability
to launch a nuclear strike even after sustaining a full on attack from the other side, known as
a second strike.
This became part of what is known as Mutual Assured Destruction. Each side knew that any
attack on the other would lead to a retaliatory strike that would be devastating, which thus
restrained each side from attacking each other.
The US reached its peak nuclear stockpile in 1967 and the USSR in 1988. Eventually, as
diplomacy between the two nations improved, and the cold war ended in 1991, the two
nations began decreasing their nuclear stockpiles in a show of good faith. However, both
countries still maintained significant stocks of nuclear weapons.
2
In 2016, it is believed that 9 countries out of 196 possess nuclear weapons. This creates a
security threat to the entire modern world, due to the power struggle that it creates between
nations. Furthermore, the use of nuclear weapons as seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
creates a mass indiscriminate loss of life for non combatants.
2
​Unthinkable, the (2016) ‘Nuclear arms race’, in ​Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_arms_race​ ​(Accessed: 1 January 2017).
3
Major parties involved and their views
The United states of America
The United States is one of the first and only nations to have ever used radiological weapons
in combat (several other nations have detonated radiological devices in testing capacities),
this took place during WW2 when the US detonated nuclear bombs in the 2 major japanese
cities of Hiroshima inflicting a high amount of civilian casualties. The US is known to possess
all three types of WMD’s (chemical, biological and nuclear), and it has the second largest
number of deployed (readily available for use) WMD’s in the world behind Russia. The US
possesses 4670 WMD’s (usable and unusable), and it began developing biological weapons
in October 1941 under the order of president Franklin Roosevelt. From 1941 to 1954 the US
developed anti personal and anticrop biological weaponry. However, in 1975, the United
States signed and ratified the Biological Weapons Convention, preventing them from
developing, producing and stockpiling biological weapons. The nation produced, developed
and stockpiled chemical weapons up until 1975, when they became a signatory of the
Geneva protocol (the first operative international treaty on chemical weapons which the U.S.
was a signatory of), which required the US to reduce stockpiles of nuclear weapons, and
began taking place in the 1980’s. In 1993, the US signed the Chemical Weapons Convention
which dictated that they destroy all weaponized chemical agents, dispersal systems,
chemical weapons production and development facilities by 2012. However, by April 2012,
3
​Macias, A. (2014) ​Nine nations have nukes — here’s how many each country has. Available at:
http://www.businessinsider.com/nine-nations-have-nukes--heres-how-many-each-country-has-2014-6?I
R=T​ (Accessed: 3 January 2017).
the US had failed to destroy all their chemical weapons. In spite of that, they had succeeded
in destroying 89.75% of their original stockpile of 31,000 metric tons of nerve and mustard
agents. The US resumed chemical weapon stockpile destruction in 2015, and predicts to
completion by 2023.
Russia
The soviet project to develop an atomic bomb was a top secret research and development
program, that began in 1943 after the Soviet Union discovered about the American, British
and Canadian nuclear development project (The Manhattan project). Russia currently has
4500 (usable and unusable) WMD’s stockpiled. The exact number of nuclear warheads in
Russia is unknown, as it is a closely guarded secret, which leaves understanding the size of
their nuclear arsenal to mostly guess work based on intelligence collected by other nations.
It’s estimated that of the current 4500, 2600 are readily deployable.
China
During the first Taiwan Strait crisis - a brief armed conflict that took place from 1954-55
between the governments of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China Mao decided it was time to begin developing China's nuclear weapons program in order to
increase diplomatic power on a world stage. China currently has 260 (usable and unusable)
nuclear warheads. China signed the chemical weapons convention on january 13th, 1993.
China is also a signatory of the Biological and Toxin Weapons convention. Furthermore,
Chinese officials have stated that China has never attempted to use biological weapons in
an offensive military manner.
Israel
The nation of Israel is highly secretive about its possession of nuclear weapons and does
not officially confirm nor deny its possession of nuclear weapons. It is widely believed that
Israel possesses undeclared nuclear warheads, and has both undeclared biological and
chemical warfare capabilities. It is believed Israel has possessed nuclear weapons since
1967 when it began developing them after the Six Day War. No official numbers exist;
however, it is estimated that Israel possesses approximately between 75-400 nuclear
warheads. Israel has signed but not ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention. A report
from 1983 published by the CIA states that Israel began developing its chemical weapon
program after becoming aware of its increased vulnerability to such attack in late 1982, after
seeing itself surrounded by Arab nations with developing chemical warfare capabilities.
Israel is not a signatory of the Biological weapons convention, and it is believed that Israel
possesses offensive biological weapons capabilities.
Syria
Following the occupation of the Golan heights by Israel during the Six day war in 1967, and
South Lebanon in 1978, Syria began to see Israeli military power as a threat to Syrian
security. Syria acquired its first chemical weapons from Egypt in 1973 to be used as a
deterrent towards Israel. Syria’s chemical weapons program began in the mid 70’s with
supervision and training from Egypt and the Soviet Union, and they began producing
chemical weapons in the mid 1980’s. In 2013, Syria joined the Chemical Weapons
Convention, which formally indicated an agreement from the Syrian Government to begin
destroying its chemical weapons, as is required when signing the convention. The OPCW
and the United Nations aimed to have eliminated the Syrian Chemical weapons program by
mid-2014. This deadline was not met. Syria is believed to not possess biological weapons;
however, some intelligence agencies report that there is an ongoing biological weapon
research and production facility within Syria. Syria is a signatory of the NPT and maintains a
civil nuclear program for the purpose of producing electricity. It is believed that Israel owns
no nuclear weapons and never had.
Iran
It is believed that Iran does not posses any WMD’s. Iran is a signatory of the Biological
Weapons Convention, Chemical Weapons Convention and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
treaty. The country has a functioning nuclear program that states it is intended to be used for
peaceful purposes. However, Iran has a highly sophisticated uranium enrichment (a process
used to harness uranium 235 which is used in nuclear devices) program, which could allow
them to develop WMD’s.
South Africa
South Africa is one of the first and only nations in the world to have voluntarily dismantled its
nuclear arsenal after spending billions of dollars and several years to create it, and has been
a signatory of the NPT since 1991. From the 1960’s-1980’s South Africa began researching
into biological, chemical and nuclear WMD’s. Throughout this time, six nuclear weapons
were developed and produced. Prior to the changeover to the African National Congress
government in the 1990’s the South African apartheid government dismantled its nuclear
stockpiles due to the fear of a black majority government controlling nuclear weapons. The
nation is a great example showing that complete nuclear disarmament is possible. South
Africa possesses no chemical or biological weapons as it signed the CWC in 1995 and BWC
in 1974.
France
France tested its first nuclear weapon in the 1960’s, and reached a peak stockpile of 540
nuclear weapons in 1998. France is a signatory of the NPT(1992), and is recognized as one
of the “Five Nuclear Weapons States”. It currently possesses 300 nuclear warhead making it
the 3rd largest strategic arsenal in the world. France's current military doctrine requires that
at least 1 of its 4 submarines with capabilities to launch nuclear missiles be patrolling the
Atlantic ocean at all times. In 2008 the president of France Nicolas Sarkozy announced that
France would reduce its nuclear arsenal to fewer than 300 nuclear warheads, but did not
give a time frame as to when this would occur. France has signed and ratified the CWC
(1995) and claims not to possess any chemical weapons. France is not known to possess
any biological warfare capabilities and acceded to the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention in 1984.
India
India possesses WMD’s in the form of nuclear weapons. In the past it was known to possess
chemical weapons, but currently it no longer does. India has not publicly made clear how
many nuclear weapons they own; however, estimates would say that it owns approximately
110 nuclear weapons. India is not a signatory of the 1968 NPT due to the fact that it
establishes the status quo of existing nuclear states while preventing general nuclear
disarmament. India has incredibly complex biotechnology infrastructure that includes
pharmaceutical production facilities and bio-contaminant laboratories used for working with
lethal pathogens. Furthermore, India has a large number of expert scientists in the field of
infectious disease. Several of India's labs exist to support defence against biological
weapons. It is believed that India does possess the infrastructure or capabilities to launch an
offensive biological weapons program, but it has chosen not to. India has ratified the BWC
and has pledged to follow the rules put forth in the convention. India signed the Chemical
Weapons convention in 1992, claiming that it did not have chemical weapons nor the
capacity, infrastructure or intent to develop chemical weapons.
Pakistan
Pakistan began developing nuclear weapons in 1972 under the rule of prime minister
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It is believed that the country owns 130 nuclear warheads and is the only
muslim majority nation to do so. Furthermore, it is not a part of the NPT. Pakistan has made
it clear that it is not willing to adopt a “no first use policy”, meaning that it would launch
nuclear weapons at India even if India did not launch such weapons first. Pakistan is not
believed to have an offensive chemical or biological weapons program.
North Korea
North Korea was a member of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of nuclear weapons up until
2003, when it withdrew from the treaty. In 2009, North Korea declared that it had developed
a nuclear weapon and had a small stockpile of crude, but effective nuclear weapons. It is
unknown exactly how many nuclear weapons Korea currently has in its arsenal; however, it
is believed that the country has approximately between 15-22 nuclear warheads. North
Korea may or may not also have biological and chemical weapons, but due to the extreme
secrecy of the nation, little is known about the R&D capabilities for biological and chemical
weapons.
United Kingdom
The UK has possessed several weapons of mass destruction throughout its history;
however, the british government cancelled its biological and chemical weapons programs in
1956 and renounced the use of both weapons. Britain ratified of the BWC in 1975 and
became a signatory of the CWC in 1993. The country possesses 120 usable nuclear
warheads and aims to maintain security and deterrence by having at least one of is 4
vanguard class submarines patrol the atlantic ocean at all times, in order to launch a nuclear
strike even after Britain is destroyed by a strike from another nation.
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