Weapons of mass destruction
By type
By country
Proliferation
Treaties

Many nations continue to research and/or stockpile chemical weapon agents despite numerous efforts to reduce or eliminate them. Most states have joined the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which required the destruction of all chemical weapons by 2012. Twelve nations have declared chemical weapons production facilities and six nations have declared stockpiles of chemical weapons. All of the declared production facilities have been destroyed or converted for civilian use after the treaty went into force.

CWC states with declared stockpiles

Of the 190 nations that signed the CWC, states listed below have also declared stockpiles and agreed to monitored disposal and verification. In some cases, chemical weapons were used in conflict. Both military targets and civilian populations have been affected. As of 2023, only North Korea is confirmed to have remaining stockpiles of chemical weapons. [1]

Details by state

Countries with known or possible chemical weapons, as of 2021
Nation CW Possession[citation needed] Signed CWC Ratified CWC
Albania Eliminated, 2007 January 14, 1993[2] May 11, 1994[2]
China Probable January 13, 1993 April 4, 1997
Egypt Probable No No
India Eliminated, 2009 January 14, 1993 September 3, 1996
Iran Possible January 13, 1993 November 3, 1997
Iraq Eliminated, 2018 January 13, 2009 February 12, 2009
Israel Probable January 13, 1993[3] No
Japan Probable January 13, 1993 September 15, 1995
Libya Eliminated, 2014 No January 6, 2004
(acceded)
Myanmar (Burma) Possible January 14, 1993[3] July 8, 2015[4]
North Korea Known No No
Pakistan Probable January 13, 1993 November 27, 1997
Russia Eliminated, 2017 January 13, 1993 November 5, 1997
Serbia
and Montenegro 		Probable No April 20, 2000
(acceded)
Sudan Possible No May 24, 1999
(acceded)
Syria Known No September 14, 2013
(acceded)
Taiwan Possible n/a n/a
United States Eliminated, 2023[5] January 13, 1993 April 25, 1997
Vietnam Possible January 13, 1993 September 30, 1998


Albania

Main article: Albania and weapons of mass destruction

Albania, as a party of the Chemical Weapons Convention, declared a stockpile of 16 tons of chemical weapons in 2007. On July 11, 2007, with the help of the U.S. government's Nunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program, the Ministry of Defence announced the successful destruction of the entire stockpile.

Angola

Angola has been accused of using chemical weapons in its civil war.[6]

China

According to the testimony from Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Carl W. Ford before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, it is very probable that China has an advanced chemical warfare program. This includes research and development, production, and weaponization capabilities. The United States is concerned by China's contact and willingness to share chemical weapons expertise with other states of proliferating concern, including Syria and Iran. Chinese government did declare that they had a small arsenal of chemical weapons in the past but that it was destroyed before the ratifying convention. They declared only two former chemical production facilities that may have produced mustard gas and Lewisite.[7]

Cuba

According to a United Nations finding, that cited suspicious residue affecting plant and animal life[when?] during the Cuban intervention in Angola, sarin and VX was used against Angolan militants by the Cuban Army.[8]

Egypt

Egypt did not sign the Chemical Weapons Convention and has been appearing on various lists as having an offensive chemical weapons capability and is thought to have production facilities for sarin, VX, mustard gas and phosgene. Before the Egypt–Israel peace treaty of 1979, the country played a pivotal role exporting chemical weapons and related technologies to other Arab countries. It is possible that Egypt may still have limited stockpiles of chemical bombs, rockets and shells.

There are numerous reasons for this belief:

In testimony before the Subcommittee on Seapower: Strategic and Critical Materials in 1991, US Navy Rear Admiral Thomas Brooks cited this evidence in identifying Egypt as a "probable" country to have chemical weapons.

Recent analyses are more careful estimating the current status of a chemical weapons program in Egypt. Only one facility has been identified as "likely involved" in the offensive activities. Although the offensive program may be still in existence, it does not seem that Egypt has a considerable stockpile of operational weapons. [10]

Ethiopia

In 1991 Rear Admiral Thomas Brooks identified Ethiopia before congress as a "probability" to have chemical weapons possession. Ethiopia did ratify with the CWC in 1996 and did not declare an offensive CW program. From that time no evidence has been presented to contradict this statement.

India

On January 14, 1993, India became one of the original nations to sign the CWC. India declared its stock of chemical weapons in June 1997 which included 1044 tonnes of sulfur mustard in their possession.[11][12]

In 2005, of the six nations that declared stockpiles of chemical weapons, India was the only one to meet their deadline for the destruction of chemical weapons and inspection of its facilities by the OPCW. By the end of 2006, India had destroyed more than 75 percent of its chemical weapons and material stockpile. They were granted an extension to destroy the remainder until April 2009. Hopes was that India would destroy 100 percent within that time frame. [12] On May 14, 2009, India informed the United Nations that they had completely destroyed their stockpile of chemical weapons.[13][14]

Iran

Near the end of the Iran–Iraq War, Iran was suspected to have made limited use of chemical weapons in response to multiple chemical attacks by Iraq. The delivery vehicles Iran supposedly had in their possession included artillery shells, mortars, rockets and aerial bombs.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington D.C. based think tank, Iran currently has at least two major facilities for the research and production of chemical weapons. Iran began their production of nerve agents no later than 1994. The accuracy of these claims has not been verified.[15]

Iran signed the Chemical Weapons Convention on January 13, 1993, and ratified it on November 3, 1997. They deny allegations of having a clandestine CW program in violation of CWC. In the official declaration submitted to OPCW, the Iranian government admitted that it produced mustard gas in 1980s but ceased the offensive program and destroyed stockpiles of operational weapons after the end of the war with Iraq.[16]

Iraq

An Iranian soldier wearing a gas mask during the Iran–Iraq War. Iraq massively used chemical weapons during Iran–Iraq War.

Main articles: Iraq and weapons of mass destruction and Iraqi chemical weapons program

Well before Operation Desert Storm or the U.N. inspections that followed it, Iraq had already begun to build chemical weapons. After launching a research effort in the 1970s, Iraq was able to use chemical weapons in their war against Iran and to kill large numbers of their own Kurdish population in the 1980s. On June 28, 1987, in Sardasht, during two separate attacks on four residential areas, an estimated as 10 civilians were killed and 650 civilians injured.[17] Iraq used an excessive amount of chemical weapons during Iran–Iraq War. Kurdish people were victims of chemical weapons. Iraq used mustard gas in an attack against Kurdish people on March 16, 1988, during the Halabja chemical attack. The attack killed between 3,200 and 5,000 people and injured 7,000 to 10,000 more, most of them civilians. During Iraqi chemical attacks against Iran, many Iranian military forces were killed by nerve agents. At the time, the attacks were actively supported by the United States.[18]

During the first Gulf War, there were fears that Iraq would launch chemical-tipped missiles at its neighbors, particularly Israel, but Iraq refrained for fear of U.S. retaliation. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition troops again feared they might be hit with chemical weapons, though this did not happen.

In 1991, as part of the 1991 Gulf War ceasefire agreement, the United Nations passed Resolution 687 that established the Special Commission (UNSCOM). The UNSCOM was charged with the task of destroying, removing or rendering harmless "all chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all related subsystems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities."

By the time UNSCOM left Iraq in December 1998, it had destroyed a large portion of Iraq's chemical weapon potential. UNSCOM had overseen the destruction or incapacitation of more than 88,000 filled or unfilled chemical munitions, over 600 tons of weaponized or bulk chemical agents, 4,000 tons of precursor chemicals, 980 pieces of key production equipment and 300 pieces of analytical equipment. Notwithstanding these extraordinary achievements, the uncertainties regarding Iraq's possession of chemical weapons, their precursors and munitions remain.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that oversee destruction measures, announced that "The government of Iraq has deposited their accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention with the Secretary General of the United Nations and within 30 days, on 12 February 2009, will become the 186th State to the Convention".[19][20] Iraq also declared stockpiles of CW. Because of their recent accession, will be the only State Party exempted from the destruction time-line.[21] On September 7, 2011, Hoshyar Zebari entered the OPCW headquarters, becoming the first Iraqi Foreign Minister to officially visit since the country joined the CWC.[22]

Israel

In 2015, Israel signed but did not ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention. According to the Russian Federation Foreign Intelligence Service, Israel has significant stores of chemical weapons they manufactured themselves. They have a highly developed chemical and petrochemical industry, skilled specialists and stocks of source material. They are capable of producing several nerve, blister and incapacitating weapons. A 2005 report from the Swedish Defence Research Agency concluded that Israel is probably not actively producing "traditional" chemical weapons but may have a functional stockpile of previously produced material. [23] Assessment of Israeli chemical weapons capabilities were redacted from declassified U.S. documents.[23]

Although Israel did sign the CWC, they have not ratified the treaty and therefore is not officially bound by its tenets.[24] Beliefs are that Israel has a significant stockpile of chemical weapons, likely to be the most abundant in the Middle-East according to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service.[citation needed] A 1983 CIA report stated that Israel, after "finding itself surrounded by front-line Arab states with budding chemical weapon capabilities, became increasingly conscious of its vulnerability to chemical attack ... undertook a program of chemical warfare preparations in both offensive and protective areas ... In late 1982, a probable CW nerve agent production facility and a storage facility were identified at the Dimona Sensitive Storage Area in the Negev Desert. Other CW agent production is believed to exist within a well-developed Israeli chemical industry."[25]

In 1974, in a hearing before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, General Almquist stated that Israel had an offensive chemical weapons capability.

In 1992, El Al Flight 1862 bound for Tel Aviv crashed outside Amsterdam. During the course of the crash investigation, fifty gallons of dimethyl methylphosphonate was found in the plane's cargo. Dimethyl methylphosphonate is a CWC schedule 2 chemical that can be used in the production of the nerve agent sarin. The dimethyl methylphosphonate was bound for the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Ness Ziona, a top-secret military installation outside Tel Aviv. The facility was also responsible for producing the poison used in a September 1997 assassination attempt on a leader of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas (Khaled Mashal). According to Israeli officials, the substance was destined for defensive research purposes, to test filters for gas masks. This shipment came from a US chemical plant to the IIBR under a US Department of Commerce license.[26]

The 1993 the U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment WMD proliferation assessment recorded Israel as a country known to have undeclared offensive chemical warfare capabilities.[27]

In October 1998, the London Sunday Times reported that Israeli F-16 fighters were equipped to carry chemical weapons and that their crews have been trained on the use of such weapons.

Japan

Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces wearing gas masks and rubber gloves during a chemical attack near Zhabei in the Battle of Shanghai.[28]

Japan both used and stored chemical weapons on the territory of mainland China between 1937 and 1945.[29] They left approximately two million tons of chemical weapons in China at the end of the war.[30] The weapons mostly contained a mustard gas-lewisite mixture.[31] They are classified as abandoned chemical weapons under the CWC. The destruction of the weapons under a joint Japan-China program started in September 2010, in Nanjing using mobile destruction facilities.[32]

During December 1993, Japan signed the Chemical Weapons Convention and ratified the CWC in 1995. The JSDF does have chemical weapon facilities and samples to use in the development of protection against chemical weapons. The JGSDF Central NBC protection Troop admitted having samples of sarin in 1995.

Libya

Libya produced limited quantities of chemical weapons during the 1980s and is known to have used these weapons in combat at least once when they attempted to use chemical weapons against Chadian troops in 1987.[citation needed]

Since then, Libya constructed what is believed to be the largest chemical weapon production facility in the developing world in the Rabta industrial complex. This facility was the cornerstone of the Libyan CW program and has produced mustard gas, sarin, and phosgene since production began in the late 1980s. In March 1990 a suspicious fire broke out there following accusations by the United States.[33]

Strict United Nations sanctions from 1992 to 1999 rendered Rabta inactive.

Libya used chemical weapons, under Muammar Gaddafi's regime, in a war with Chad. In 2003, Gaddafi agreed to accede to the CWC in exchange for "rapprochement" with western nations. At the time of the Libyan uprising against Gaddafi, Libya still controlled approximately 11.25 tons of poisonous mustard gas. Because of destabilization, concerns increased regarding possibilities and likelihood that control of these agents could be lost. With terrorism at the core of concern,[34] international bodies cooperated to ensure Libya is held to its obligations under the treaty.[35] Libya's post-Gaddafi National Transitional Council is cooperating with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons regarding the destruction of all legacy chemical weapons in the country.[36] After assessing the chemical stockpiles, the Libyan government will receive a deadline from the OPCW to destroy the CW.[37]

Libya's chemical program was completely abandoned on December 19, 2003 along with their other weapons of mass destruction programs as part of a program to get sanctions lifted and normalize relations with foreign governments. In 2004, between 27 February and 3 March, Libya destroyed 3,200 chemical weapon artillery shells under supervision of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). On 5 March 2004, Libya declared a stockpile of 23 tons of mustard gas as well as precursors for sarin and other chemicals. Libya officially acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention in June 2004.

On 12 January 2018, the United States acknowledged that Libya has destroyed its remaining chemical weapons stockpile.[38]

Myanmar

Main article: Myanmar and weapons of mass destruction

Intelligence regarding Myanmar's chemical weapon status is mixed, and sometimes contradictory. In the late 1990s, US naval intelligence identified Myanmar (then referred to as Burma) as developing chemical weapons capabilities. Later, other officials contradicted that statement, claiming that the evidence supporting Burma's chemical stockpile development was primarily based upon circumstantial evidence.[39]

In July 2014 five journalists in Myanmar were sentenced to ten years in jail after publishing a report saying Myanmar was planning to build a new chemical weapons plant on farmland in the country's Magwe Region.[40]

At an annual OPCW conference in 2019, the United States claimed Myanmar maintained a stockpile of chemical weapons dating to 1982.[41] In November 2023, amidst a civil war, rebel groups of the Brotherhood Alliance accused the military of using chemical weapons on its forces multiple times in Shan State townships.[42] The Arakan Army did the same in early December of that year in Chin State, which the military denied.[42]

Myanmar signed the Chemical Weapons Convention on 14 January 1993,[3] and ratified the agreement on 8 July 2015.[43] The convention entered into effect 7 August 2015.[44][45]

North Korea

North Korea did not sign CWC and is believed to have maintained an extensive chemical weapons program since the mid-1950s. The program includes research, production, stockpiling and weaponisation of large quantities of chemical agents (perhaps as many as 5000 tons), including blister, nerve, choking, psychoincapacitant, vomiting and riot control agents. Several dozen facilities have been identified as likely involved in the offensive program. The production capability of these facilities is estimated as 4500 tons of chemical agents per year. North Korean armed forces also have large quantities of delivery systems that could carry chemical warheads, including different artillery systems, aerial bombs, mines, tactical ballistic missiles (SCUD), and long-range ballistic missiles (Nodong and Taepodong-2 systems). The technological advancement of this program is uncertain, and some sources doubt whether North Korea is able to produce large quantities of nerve agents or fit the chemical warheads on its long-range ballistic missiles.[46]

It reportedly acquired the technology necessary to produce tabun and mustard gas as early as the 1950s.[47] In 2009, the International Crisis Group reported that the consensus expert view was that North Korea had a stockpile of about 2,500 to 5,000 tonnes of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, sarin (GB) and other nerve agents including VX.[48]

Pakistan

Main article: WMD conjecture in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq

Since 1970s and 1980s, Pakistan had been long suspected of running a possible military chemical weapons program both by Soviet Union and the United States. In 1991, Rear Admiral Thomas Brooks identified Pakistan as a "probable" chemical weapons possessor in testimony before Congress.[49] In 1992, India and Pakistan signed a bilateral arms control treaty of chemical weapons that requires both countries to make a commitment to not develop, possess or use chemical weapons.[50]

On January 13, 1993, Pakistan became an original signatory of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and ratifying the treaty on November 27, 1997.[51] Since being its signatory, the Pakistan is not known to have ever possessed a militarized chemical weapons program, and is a member in good standing of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).[52] Despite its good standing, Pakistan has been accused of covertly running a military chemical weapons program– the accusations primarily made by India since 1970s.[52] Indian assertion is primarily based on the import of toxic chemicals and metals and the absence of their use in the civilian biochemical industry.[52]

In 1999, Pakistan, addressing the Indian allegations at the United Nations, announced a mandate and regulation for all domestic chemical producers to "furnish details of the chemicals" imported or used in Pakistan.[53]

Russia

Chemical weapons formerly stored in Russia.
Former Russian CW stockpiles.

Main article: Russia and weapons of mass destruction

Russia entered the CWC with the largest declared stockpile of chemical weapons.[54] By 2010 the country had destroyed 18,241 tonnes at destruction facilities located in Gorny (Saratov Oblast) and Kambarka (Udmurt Republic), where operations have finished and Shchuchye (Kurgan Oblast), Maradykovsky (Kirov Oblast), Leonidovka (Penza Oblast) while installations are under construction in Pochep (Bryansk Oblast) and Kizner (Udmurt Republic).[55] By 2016, Russia destroyed around 94% of its chemical weapons and planned to completely destroy its remaining stockpile by the end of 2018.[citation needed] On September 27, 2017 Russia announced the destruction of the last batch of chemical weapons, completing the total destruction of its chemical arsenal ahead of schedule.[56]

On March 4, 2018, Russia was alleged to have conducted a chemical attack in Salisbury, UK that left 5 injured including the alleged target of the attack, Sergei Skripal.[57]

Russia destroyed about 25,000 metric tons of chemical weapons, or 62 percent of its 40,000-ton stockpile as of April 29, 2012 – the deadline set by the Chemical Weapons Convention for complete arsenal destruction. Russia expected 2020 to be more realistic but according to Russia, they fully destroyed their arsenal weapons on September 27, 2017.[58][59]

Serbia and Montenegro

The former Yugoslavia is known to have produced a variety of chemical weapons (CW). The majority of stockpiled CW is believed to have been inherited by its successor, Serbia.[citation needed]

Reports indicate that the former Yugoslavia's Army produced large quantities of sarin (50 tons), sulfur mustard, phosgene, the incapacitant BZ (allegedly a stockpile of 300 tons) and tear gas. At least four chemical warfare production facilities have been identified in Serbia: Prva Iskra in Baric; Miloje Blagojevic in Lucani; and Milojie Zakic and Merima in Krusevac. While the Trajal plant in Krusevac has been shut down, serious questions exist about accounting and previous production and storage of chemical materials there, as well as the lack of accounting on the other three sites.

Yugoslavia used its CW technologies to develop chemical munitions for Iraq prior to the first Gulf War in the "Little Hawk" program and chemical munitions for the Orkan MLRS system under the "KOL15" program.

The former Yugoslavia signed the Geneva Protocol in 1929. In April 2000, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

South Korea

Prior to 1997, South Korea was strongly suspected of possessing an active chemical weapons program and was identified as a "probable" chemical weapons possessor by the United States.

On April 18, 1997, South Korea signed the Chemical Weapons Convention and made a secret declaration. It is thought that South Korea is the "state party" referred to in Chemical Weapons Convention materials. There are reports that South Korea is operating a secret facility in Yeongdong County, Chungcheongbuk-do Province for the destruction of chemical agents.

South Sudan

In February 2016, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition accused the South Sudanese government of attacking them with chemical weapons in the ongoing South Sudanese Civil War.[60]

Sudan

Some past reports of uncertain credibility indicated that Sudan may have used chemical weapons against the rebels in the southern part of this country. Sudan accessed to CWC in 1999 and did not declare any offensive CW program. U.S. Department of State claims that it lacks sufficient evidence to determine whether Sudan is engaged in activities prohibited by CWC.[61]

Syria

Main articles: Syria and weapons of mass destruction and Syria chemical weapons program

Prior to September 2013, Syria was one of seven states not to party with the Chemical Weapons Convention. As a party to the 1925 Geneva Protocol, it was prohibited from using chemical weapons in war yet unhindered in their production, storage and transfer.

When questioned about the topic, Syrian officials stated that they feel it is an appropriate deterrent against Israel's undeclared nuclear weapons program which they believe exists. On July 23, 2012, the Syrian government acknowledged, for the first time, that it had chemical weapons.[62]

Independent assessments indicate that Syria could have produced up to a few hundred tons of chemical agent per year. Syria reportedly manufactures the unitary agents: Sarin, Tabun, VX, and mustard gas.[63]

Syrian chemical weapons production facilities have been identified by Western nonproliferation experts at the following 5 sites, plus a suspected weapons base:[64]

A Syrian soldier aims a Type 56 assault rifle wearing a Soviet-made, model ShMS nuclear–biological–chemical warfare mask.

In July 2007, a Syrian arms depot exploded, killing at least 15 Syrians. Jane's Defence Weekly, a UK magazine reporting on military and corporate affairs, believed that the explosion happened when Iranian and Syrian military personnel attempted to fit a Scud missile with a mustard gas warhead. Syria stated that the blast was accidental and not chemical related.[65]

On July 13, 2012, the Syrian government moved its stockpile to an undisclosed location.[66]

In September 2012, information emerged that the Syrian military had begun testing chemical weapons and was reinforcing and resupplying a base housing these weapons located east of Aleppo in August.[67][68]

On March 19, 2013, news emerged from Syria indicating the first use of chemical weapons since the beginning of the Syrian uprising.[69]

On August 21, 2013, testimony and photographic evidence emerged from Syria indicating a large-scale chemical weapons attack on Ghouta, a populated urban center.[70]

An agreement was reached September 14, 2013, called the Framework For Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons, leading to the elimination of Syria's chemical weapon stockpiles by mid-2014.[71][72]

On October 14, 2013, Syria officially acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

On September 14, 2013, the United States and Russia announced an agreement that would lead to the elimination of Syria's chemical weapon stockpiles by mid-2014.[73] Syria officially acceded to the CWC on October 14,[74] but has yet to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. It is believed Syria first received chemical weapons in 1973 from Egypt in the form of artillery shells.[citation needed] Since then it is thought Syria has one of the most advanced chemical weapons programs in the Middle East.[citation needed]

Syria's chemical arsenal

Syria is thought to have amassed large quantities of sarin, tabun, and mustard and is currently weaponizing VX.[citation needed] Exact quantities are hard to know although the CIA has estimated Syria possesses several hundred liters of chemical weapons with hundreds of tons of agents produced annually.[citation needed]

Production

Syria has four main production sites. One just north of Damascus, one near Homs, one in Hama and one, al-Safir south-east of Aleppo.[citation needed]

Taiwan

Main article: Taiwan and weapons of mass destruction

U.S. Congress was informed in 1989 that Taiwan could have acquired offensive chemical weapons capability, including stockpiles of sarin. The alleged facilities include Tsishan and Kuanhsi. Taiwanese authorities acknowledged only the existence of a defensive research program.[75]

Turkey

Turkey emerged from the cold war relatively unprotected and is gravely concerned about the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction, particularly chemical weapons that have been used in the vicinity of the Turkish state. Turkey is party to both the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 and the Biological Weapons Convention since 1974.[76]

Turkey has been accused of using chemical weapons in Afrin against Kurdish rebels, but the country has denied that civilians in its operation against the Kurdish YPG fighters in northwestern Syria were affected by chemical weapons from the Turkish military. The country has sharply condemned and verified some of the chemical weapons used in the Syrian civil war.[77]

United States

Main article: United States chemical weapons program

The United States has used multiple types of chemical weapons both in war and in testing. For example, testing of how various chemical weapons will disperse in different climates and delivery systems during Operation LAC. Police forces periodically use CS against violent protests domestically, while use and deployment is banned in military use. The United States possessed a stockpile of chemical weapons since World War I. It banned the production or transport of chemical weapons in 1969. The U.S. began chemical weapons disposal and destruction in the 1960s, first by deep-sea burial; by the 1970s, incineration was the primary disposal method used. The use of chemical weapons was officially renounced in 1991, and the U.S. signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993. As of July 7, 2023, the remaining stockpiles of sulfur mustard were announced to be destroyed.[78]

The United States has completed destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile it declared in 1997, guided by RCRA regulations.[79] As of 2023 complete destruction and deactivation was achieved on July 7, 2023.[80]

The U.S. policy on the use of chemical weapons is to reserve the right to retaliate. First use, or preemptive use, is a violation of stated policy. Only the president of the United States can authorize the first retaliatory use. [81] Official policy now reflects the likelihood of chemical weapons being used as a terrorist weapon.[82][83]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.state.gov/2023-condition-10c-annual-report-on-compliance-with-the-chemical-weapons-convention-cwc/
  2. ^ a b "Status of Participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention as at 14 October 2013". Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 14 October 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "SIGNATORY STATES". Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 2 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Myanmar Joins Chemical Weapons Convention". Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 9 July 2015.
  5. ^ https://www.peoacwa.army.mil/destruction-progress/
  6. ^ Pothuraju, Babjee (July–December 2012). "Chemical Weapons Profile of Angola". Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  7. ^ "NTI Research Library: country profile: China". Archived from the original on 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  8. ^ Hawk, Kathleen Dupes; Villella, Ron; Varona, Adolfo Leyva de (30 July 2014). Florida and the Mariel Boatlift of 1980: The First Twenty Days. University of Alabama Press. ISBN 978-0817318376. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  9. ^ NTI Research Library: country profile: Syria – chemical weapons.
  10. ^ "NTI Research Library: country profile: Egypt – chemical weapons". Archived from the original on 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  11. ^ Smithson, Amy; Gaffney, Frank Jr. "India declares its stock of chemical weapons". ((cite web)): Missing or empty |url= (help)
  12. ^ a b "India to destroy chemical weapons stockpile by 2009". Dominican Today. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  13. ^ "Zee News – India destroys its chemical weapons stockpile". Zeenews.india.com. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  14. ^ India destroys its chemical weapons stockpile.
  15. ^ Lipton, Eric; Williams, Brooke (August 7, 2016). "How Think Tanks Amplify Corporate America's Influence". Archived from the original on July 11, 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
  16. ^ "Iranian Use of Chemical Weapons: A Critical Analysis of Past Allegations". Archived from the original on February 10, 2009.
  17. ^ "Iran Profile – Chemical Chronology 1987". Nuclear Threat Initiative. October 2003. Archived from the original on April 16, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  18. ^ "History lesson: When the United States looked the other way on chemical weapons". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2019-07-11.
  19. ^ "Iraq Joins the Chemical Weapons Convention". The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. ^ "Iraq Designates National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention". Opcw.org. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  21. ^ Schneidmiller, Chris. "Iraq Joins Chemical Weapons Convention". Global Security Newswire. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  22. ^ "Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq Visits the OPCW to Discuss Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention". www.opcw.org. September 8, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Glossary".
  24. ^ "Status as at: 07-11-2010 01:48:46 EDT, Chapter XXVI, Disarmament". www.un.org. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  25. ^ "1NIE on Israeli Chemical Weapons". www.scribd.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  26. ^ "World: Europe Israel says El Al crash chemical 'non-toxic'". www.news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. October 2, 1998. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  27. ^ "Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Assessing the Risks" (PDF). www.princeton.edu. August 1, 1993. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  28. ^ "Chemical warfare". World War II. DesertWar.net.
  29. ^ Hongmei Deng; Peter O’Meara Evans (1997). "Social and Environmental Aspects of Abandoned Chemical Weapons in China" (PDF). The Nonproliferation Review. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  30. ^ "Seven Japanese Chemical Weapons Unearthed in NE China". China Daily. July 6, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  31. ^ "Abandoned Chemical Weapons (ACW) in China". NTI.org. June 2, 2004. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  32. ^ "Ceremony Marks Start of Destruction of Chemical Weapons Abandoned by Japan in China". OPCW. September 8, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  33. ^ United Nations General Assembly Session 45 Document 179. A/45/179 page 2. 23 March 1990. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  34. ^ "Chemical terrorism: prevention, response and the role of legislation" (PDF). www.vertic.org. Truth & Verify. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  35. ^ "Gaddafi's chemical weapons spark renewed worries". The Washington Post. August 16, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  36. ^ "Libya's NTC pledges to destroy chemical weapons: OPCW". www.spacewar.com. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  37. ^ "Chemical weapons inspectors to return to Libya". Spacewar.com. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  38. ^ Reuters, 12 January 2018: U.S. welcomes Libya's destruction of chemical weapons stockpile: statement
  39. ^ Report of the Henry L. Stimson Center, “Chemical Weapons Proliferation Concerns”; found online at http://www.stimson.org/cbw/?SN=CB20011220137#myanmar Archived 2008-10-24 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 20 March 2008).
  40. ^ "Report on chemical weapons earn Myanmar journalists jail term with hard labour". Myanmar News.Net. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  41. ^ Zaw, Htet Naing (26 November 2019). "Myanmar Military Rejects US Claims of Possible Chemical Weapons Stockpile". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  42. ^ a b Zan, Hein Htoo (5 December 2023). "Arakan Army Accuses Myanmar Junta of Chemical Warfare". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Myanmar Joins Chemical Weapons Convention". OPCW. 9 July 2015.
  44. ^ "Chemical weapons ban goes into force in Myanmar". Myanmar News.Net. The News International. 8 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  45. ^ "Myanmar Joins Chemical Weapons Convention". BioPrepWatch. 9 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  46. ^ See North Korea's profile on NTI
  47. ^ "North Korean Military Capabilities". Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2006.
  48. ^ Jon Herskovitz (June 18, 2009). "North Korea chemical weapons threaten region: report". Reuters. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  49. ^ "NTI Research Library: country profile: Pakistan – chemical weapons".
  50. ^ "India-Pakistan Agreement on Chemical Weapons". The Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  51. ^ "OPCW Member States," Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, www.opcw.org.
  52. ^ a b c "Pakistan Chemical Overview". The Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  53. ^ "Government to monitor toxic chemical use in Pakistan," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 27 February 1999, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, www.lexis-nexis.com.
  54. ^ "Converting Former Soviet Chemical Weapons Plants" (PDF). Jonathan B. Tucker. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  55. ^ "Russia Continues Chemical Weapons Disposal". www.nti.org. November 8, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  56. ^ "Putin lauds elimination of last chemical agent from Russian stockpiles as 'historic event'". TASS. September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  57. ^ "Russia-Skripal scandal: What we know so far". Al Jazeera. March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  58. ^ "Russia may delay chemical weapons destruction until 2020". Panarmenian.Net. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  59. ^ Russia Destroys Chemical Weapons, and Faults U.S. for Not Doing So, New York Times, Andrew Higgins, September 27, 2017
  60. ^ Tekle, Tesfa-Alem (2016-02-01). "S. Sudan rebels accuse gov't forces of using chemical weapons". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  61. ^ "United States Department of State" (PDF).
  62. ^ "Syria threatens to use chemical arms if attacked". www.foxnews.com. July 23, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  63. ^ "Syria Chemical Weapons". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved June 27, 2016. According to a French intelligence report released 03 September 2013, the Syrian stockpile included:
  64. ^ "Special Weapons Facilities". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  65. ^ "How Close were we to a Third World War? What really happened when". www.bibliotecapleyades.net. The Sunday Herald. October 20, 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  66. ^ "Wary of rebels and chaos, Syria moves chemical weapons". www.chicagotribune.com. July 13, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  67. ^ "Syria Tested Chemical Weapons Systems, Witnesses Say". Der Spiegel. September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  68. ^ "Report: Syria tested chemical weapons delivery systems in August". Haaretz. September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  69. ^ "Syrians trade Khan al-Assal chemical weapons claims". BBC. March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  70. ^ "Syria chemical weapons allegations". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. October 31, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  71. ^ "Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons". www.state.gov. September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  72. ^ Gordon, Michael R. (September 14, 2013). "U.S. and Russia Reach Deal to Destroy Syria's Chemical Arms". The New York Times. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  73. ^ Smith-Spark, Laura; Cohen, Tom (September 14, 2013). "U.S., Russia agree to framework on Syria chemical weapons". CNN. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  74. ^ "Syria chemical weapons: OPCW plea for short ceasefires". BBC. October 14, 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  75. ^ "NTI: country profile Taiwan". Archived from the original on November 12, 2007.
  76. ^ GlobalSecurity.org. WMD. Turkey Special Weapons.
  77. ^ Turkey official denies use of chemical weapons in Afrin AlJazeera News/Turkey-Syria Border. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  78. ^ Stockpile Destruction Complete, PEO ACWA, July 7, 2023
  79. ^ Horinko, Marianne, Cathryn Courtin. “Waste Management: A Half Century of Progress.” EPA Alumni Association. March 2016.
  80. ^ Army Agency Completes Mission to Destroy Chemical Weapons Archived 2012-09-15 at the Wayback Machine, USCMA, January 21, 2012
  81. ^ "FM 3–9 (field manual)" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  82. ^ Tucker, Jonathan B.; Walker, Paul F. (April 27, 2009). "Getting chemical weapons destruction back on track". www.thebulletin.org. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  83. ^ "Umatilla Chemical Depot (press release)". U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency. August 10, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2010. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Resources

  1. ^ "SIPRI's research on disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation — www.sipri.org". Archived from the original on 2014-12-29. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
Categories