CBRN Weapons of Mass Destruction Essay

The serious threats presented by weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are at the forefront of world politics right now. The term "WMD" is used to classify a variety of weapons that share two key characteristics: first, their large-scale devastation effect; and second, the indiscriminate nature of their end results when used, particularly against civilians. (Laura, 2015). According to international law, CBRN or any other weapons that have the potential to murder a large number of people, destroy man-made structures, the biosphere, as well as natural structures like mountains, are classified as WMD. (Sharma, 2010). The proliferation of CBRN armament commonly known as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are currently occupying the center stage of the global politics. The term WMD is used to categorize a variety of armaments sharing two major features: one, their destruction effect in large -scale and secondly, indiscrimination nature of their end results upon use especially against the civilians (Laura, 2015). CBRN or any other armaments that are capable of massive killing of human beings, destroying man-made structures, biosphere, as well as natural structures like mountains are categorized as WMD according to international laws (Sharma, 2010).

The proliferation of CBRN armament commonly known as weapons of mass destruction constitutes a substantial threat to its allies, international community and the world as a whole. In the world over, terrorist groups have sought the ability to use the technology of the CBRN materials as armament. Over the past years, various countries have heavily built and stored WMD, which are normally CBRN and other materials used in producing these weapons (Sharma, 2010). Even though majority are committed to eliminate all stockpiles of WMD, nine states are currently possessing nuclear weaponries- United States, China, Britain, India, France North Korea, Russia, Pakistan while several are also believed to own biological and chemical or both. This paper sought to explore in depth the nuclear weapons to generate new ideas for WMD planning (Laura, 2015).

Research Question

What are the basic characteristics of the biological, nuclear, chemical, and radiological weaponries?

What are the current threats posed by the CBRN globally, their history, international agreements, government policies, and promising strategies to reduce the grave dangers posed by these weapons?

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this research is to sight in-depth information on the major physiognomies of the CBRN as well as the current threats they posed worldwide. The paper sought to explore in depth the nuclear weapons to generate new ideas for WMD planning (Laura, 2015). It reviews the history of the CBRN, international agreements as well as significant government policies regarding the WMD. In addition, this paper has clearly defined meaning of the WMD according to international standards (Glauser, 2011).

Literature Review

What are Weapons of Mass Destructions?

A Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) in general terms refers to armaments leading massive destruction of live when used. There are four main types of WMD, namely; chemical warfare agent, biological, radiological materials, and nuclear weapons- commonly referred to us CBRN. Additionally, WMD also include to some extent, missile technology as well as delivery systems or methods like ballistic missiles and aircrafts (Laura, 2015). The generalization of the WMD provides convenient mass-casualty weaponries upon use, however, the CRBN are very distinct in characteristics, their effect upon use, and military plays different roles of various chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons as detailed below.

Brief History of WMD

Nuclear weaponries: is rated as the most destructive of all in the public eye and imagination due to their horrific as well as unmatched destructive power in comparison to others like chemical. The study shows that all-out nuclear attacks could annihilate millions of persons within a span of few hours and for these reason researchers argues that nuclear weapons should be categories in its own class (Stearns-Boles, 2017). Depending on the atmospheric conditions and the yielding, thermonuclear weaponry dropped in a densely-populated area like cities can kill millions of persons destroying large number of man-made structures instantly. For instance, detonation of a small nuclear weapon can kill over ten thousands of people and many more thousand would die due to post detonation effects of radiation Glauser, 2011), Due to government security secrecy, it is not possible to give exact accounts on the yield and makeup of global nuclear armaments. However, roughly 13,480 nuclear weaponries are deployed worldwide among the nine stated while 14,100 are held in reserve. Overall, the number has decreased in total currently even though all nine countries continued to modernize and maintain their nuclear weapons, asserting that it is vital for their state security (Laura, 2015).

Chemical Weapons: are also notable due to their extensive and longstanding commercial and military expertise in engineering their components. In comparison to nuclear armaments, chemical weaponries are considerably cheaper and easier to engineer. Numerous graved dangerous chemicals components as well as the precursors of chemical weaponry are currently commercially available in the weaponry market. However, global treaty that burned the use of the chemical armaments, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), was convened into a recognizable force in 1997 (Carus, 2012). The agreement required the signatories to in order to dismantle the existing stockpile of the chemical armaments. According Laura's research and accountability regarding the chemical weaponry, over two million of such as well as twelve million metric tons of the chemical reactors argents have been ruined (2015). Currently, one hundred and seventy-five countries have so far signed the treaty and more are expected to follow suit (Carus, 2012).

Biological weapons: make use of the lethal viruses, toxins, or bacteria are characterized and distinguished from other WMD with their profoundly uncontainable nature (Laura, 2015). They are not boundary based and once unleashed, the biological urgent contained in the weapon for instance small pox, it can spread promptly causing an epidemic in humanoid populations. Even though these weaponries are gravely dangerous, rarely are they used in war or in terrorist attacks due to their uncontrollable nature (Laura, 2015). However, worldwide there is a serious concern on the likelihood of biological weapon use in the future in light of the current dynamism of the biomedical advancement in the biotechnology. The worry is on the technologies availability to create these weapons as well as their widespread biological agents (Carus, 2012).

Researches indicates that numerous states have developed and upheld active biological armaments programs regardless of the Geneva Convention of 1925 that prohibited the application of germs weaponries during war (Sharma, 2010). In 1972, Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) barred countries in making, maintaining, or transferring such graved weapons to other states. However, it is unfortunate that the current prohibitions have no enforcement mechanisms like global rules and regulation to govern the biological research that would results in bioweapons such as anthrax (Carus, 2012).

How Nuclear Weapons Operates

Nuclear weapons are engineered to cause damage via explosion just like the convention bombs, releasing a vast amount of energy promptly. Generally, bombs explored due to chemical reaction involving the rearrangement of atoms forming new molecules (Delgado, 2008). However, in nuclear weaponries, the explosion occurs as a result of changing the individual atoms, either via disintegration or via fusion to create new atoms. The reaction unleashes enormous energy of numerous orders in comparison having greater magnitude as compared to chemical explosion that arise from the rearrangement of molecules. From Einstein's, the energy released is given by E=mc2, where m is the mass and c is the speed of light. Nuclear weaponries are of two major types namely, fusion and fission weaponries (Glauser, 2011).

In the case of Fission Armaments, an atom splits. The fission explosive core is made of highly enriched uranium or plutonium. The atoms of the two elements are very heavy due to large numbers of neutrons and protons in their nuclei. When their heavy nucleus divides into two-minute nuclei, it releases extra neutrons (Stearns-Boles, 2017). The released neutrons are further absorbed in other nuclei, and in turn disintegrate releasing more neutrons to set off a chain reaction. According to research, it is only highly enriched uranium or plutonium are the only materials capable of undergoing carefully designed circumstances to achieve an overwhelming powerful self-sustained fissile series of reaction (Stearns-Boles, 2017).

Fusion armaments which are also commonly known as hydrogen bombs (tritium and deuterium - hydrogen isotopes) fuses as one while creating heavier atoms is what leads to explosion. Fusion is the same reaction process that takes place at the center of the sun. However, this reaction only occurs at extremely high pressure and temperatures (Delgado, 2008). To create such conditions in fusion weaponries, fission explosions are used to trigger fusion explosions. There are no theoretical bounds to the explosive energy of fusion weaponries. Research shows that fusion armaments are ten to hundred times as explosive as compared to the fission armaments (Stearns-Boles, 2017).

Nuclear Armaments Effects

Effects of the use of nuclear weapons are vast and devastating. To get a grasp of the reality, it is vital to understand that nuclear detonations release several forms of distinct energy of which each has its own shocking consequences ranging from thermal radiation, direct nuclear radiation, electromagnetic pulse, blast, and fallout. The thermal radiation consists of both the light and the intense heat (Stearns-Boles, 2017). The heat is too intense to the extent materials at the epicenter of the explosion vaporize immediately. The radiation creates fireballs that promptly expand absorbing oxygen and with blast effect, it creates total ruin of near objects. The light too is too intense to explode sand, blind person's miles away, ignite flammable objects, burn human skin, and shadows into concretes (Delgado, 2008).

The blast due to prompt unleashing of the energy results in shockwaves equal to thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch capable of crushing any object on the earth's surface (Laura, 2015). Electromagnetic pulse released though does not kill humans directly; it disables any electrical device on its path making the experience more devastating. Fallouts consists of exploded materials from buildings, earth and other objects propelled upwards mixed with radioactive materials fall back and continues the descent for over twenty-four hours (Laura, 2015).

Methodology

This is a theoretical paper relating to the analysis of weapons of mass destruction. Thus, most of the information gathered is based on literary sources. The methodology provides a clear-cut framework for the collection of data from the inception of the research questions that guide this study. The analysis of the data collection takes place to gather information from the sources pertinent to which final remarks would be viable for the study rendering the research effective.

The materials of the study are majorly from government sources as they play a significant role in addressing the matters on weapons destruction. This is because governments hold the key resources driving their advancements in the fields of science that later attribute to key military directives associated with weaponry. Apart from government bodies that deal with such matters, key institutions that are formed through the coalition of several major countries with similar initiatives provide the necessary laws and regulations on weapons of mass destruction. Nevertheless, oversight bodies such as the UN also exist, and they possess the key responsibilities required to govern these matters.

Based on such key institutions, several documents have been enacted to provide clear guidance on CBRN. These documents are the basis of given investigation as they hold the information necessary to address critical issues pointed out in the research objectives. The documents range from laws to convention proceedings with the aim of providing universal legislation on such significant weaponry. Apart from the above mentioned sources, the media also holds valid ideologies concerned with the matter how the public perceives initiatives on CBRN. This gives them a platform to raise anxiety that may be on the blind sight of their nation's leaders. The media also takes the role of oversight if the government or key institutions, neglect to share vital information to the public.

These are the principal sources of given paper; a framework still needs to be developed to analyze and gather relevant information. The first stages of the research provide a detailed preview of the historical background of the different types of mass destruction weapons. The history traces the roots of the weapons and their mechanism from inception up to where they were revolutionized to cause drastic mass casualties after an attack. The next section addresses the threats that different weapons possess and policies put in place by various governments to face the risks that arise over time. The policies have also been widely put into active roles through the integration of nations with the principal aim of dealing with the threats. This integration through different agreements will also be analyzed. At last, a review of mechanisms and strategies put into place as protective measures against the threats posed by the use of WMD or coping with the drastic aftermath of deployed weapon will be provided.

The outline of such mechanisms will present a conclusive and appropriate result from this study and sufficient recommendations that will assist others in addressing the key issues raised in the research.

Findings and analysis

The findings of this paper were divided prior to the types of weapons of mass destruction in accordance with each of the aspects addressed in the methodology

Biological weapons

Biological weapons are based on the mass destruction of human life. It provides a possibility to wipe out entire populations. The inception of biological weapon, however, does not portray these current drastic effects. Its roots are traced back to periods of time when animal carcasses were dropped in wells to pollute water sources for an entire community. The revolution of such weapons came about in the 20th century when Japan began the exploration of biological agents. The experiments were carried out on prisoners, and when they turned out to be advantageous, the weapon was unleashed to regions of China whereby it caused a death toll of up to 20,000 people. This was the first major effect of given non-conventional mode of warfare that branded it a weapon of mass destruction; apart from the death toll it affected about 200,000 people (UNODA, 2017). Later on after World War II, the U.S. and the Soviet Union took drastic measures to ensure they also had biological weapons in anticipation for any war. The investigations involved the thorough research and testing of various plagues that were genetically modified pathogens resistant to western antibiotics. However, after the break of the Soviet Union, these programs were halted. Currently, several nations such as Libya, Iran, China, Japan, India, and Russia are still indulging in the creation of biological weapons.

The biological weapons convention

In 1975, the Biological Weapons Convention became the first disarmament treaty utilized to ban the use, development, or research of biological weapons. This was the first policy used by nations to bring a halt to the aftermath of biological weapons. The policies received much attention, and several concerns were raised regarding the trusting nature among nations on whether their neighboring countries truly implemented the treaty. This brought about a second revision of the policy in 1986 and improved the interaction amongst nations for coexistence in peaceful biological actions (UNODA, 2017). By the third convention, the countries had decided to provide annual reports on their specific activities in biological warfare. The reports contained data on biological research and defense programs, development programs, past activities, and vaccine developments.

Chemical weapons

Chemical weapons trace back to the times when poisonous arrows or toxic gasses were used in wars. The weapons were accurate in their killings characterized by a fast death. Chemical weapons have not been modified much from that time in the past. However, the delivery system and technology used are what is changed. Modern delivery systems range from the use of artillery shells, bombs, rockets, or even different aerosols. The first major events where chemical weapons were used traces back to the twentieth century during the World War I; Germany was the first to use them. The weapon was composed of Phosgene gas and Sulphur; it caused about 100,000 deaths and about a million injuries (UNODA, 2017). Germany did not stop engaging in chemical warfare, the country further developed another chemical agent widely known as nerve gas and planned to use it on their Jew prisoners during Holocaust. However, these attempts bore no fruit as there was a sudden change towards the ethical use of such mechanisms to kill.

Other nations also followed such activities, and evidence shows that U.S. used chemical weapons in their Vietnam War, the weapon was characterized by dioxin, cancer causing agent. Libya was also in the forefront of using given weapons in their war with Chad. In 1988, Iraq used Chemical warfare during the war with Iran; the effects of this war are noted to date. The attack caused the death of 100,000 people and affected the lineage genetics of the population depicted by deformed births and increased chances of skin cancer.

Although these weapons have catastrophic effects, many people found them to be an acceptable mode of warfare based on the rapid effect of death that would appear to be seemingly painless thereby proving to be a less destructive weapon.

The chemical weapons convention

The chemical weapons convention was instituted as an agreement on a multilateral framework that prohibited the use, development, research, and production of chemical weapon. It is marked as the first disarmament agreement to prevent the catastrophic events of a chemical attack. An overseeing body that also requires nations to destroy chemical weapons that they currently possess in their armory also enforces the treaty (UNODA, 2017). This body is known as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The CWC has been effective in its duties through partnerships with industries. Chemical manufacturers hold the resources that are required by any nation seeking to create their chemical weapons. Through this partnership, the industries maintain their cooperation in raising any flags regarding the matter and at the same time disclosing any use of lethal weapons and ensuring that if they are used, it is solely for purposes not prohibited by the CWC. The CWC has also increased member nations that are in acceptance to the agreement. Currently there have been about 175 signatories.

Despite given effort in providing a chemical free environment in warfare, several nations still have fears based on their decision to become a part of the treaty. This is because other countries have refused to sign the agreement and continuously engage in the research and development of chemical weapons. Nevertheless, CWC does not leave this matter unresolved. With the help of chemical manufacturers, they have controlled the distribution and sales of chemical elements and substance pertinent to the developing of chemical weapons, thereby restricting the activities of nonaligned nations to the treaty. The current declared weapon agents by the CWC stands at 70,000 tones. However, to date only 17,000 tones have been destroyed. The rest remains in bankers since World War II awaiting destruction. This may seem to be a blunder of the CWC and OPCW. However, they are still taking the necessary steps to achieve the expected results. The mistake in this initiative is due to the challenging logistics of destroying chemical weapons that prove to be expensive for several nations including Russia and the United States. This is because the destruction of this matter requires safe environments that are conditioned to prevent the hazardous nature of the chemicals being transmitted to the environment. The destruction also requires specific protocols with oversight from the concerned bodies relevant to the initiative. This makes the process cumbersome and expensive. However, plans are still underway to achieve the desired goals with specific milestones for the process.

Nuclear weapons

Nuclear weapons are the epitome of catastrophic effects. The first use of atomic bombs traces back to August 6th, 1945 during the last periods of the war II. The United States dropped the first bomb of its kind in Hiroshima, Japan (UNODA, 2017). Three days later, they dropped a similar bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. The effects of those bombs brought an entirely new light to war. It raised concerns for all militaries that were not in the capacity to handle such weapons (UN, 2007). Many countries found the effects of such weapons to be widely catastrophic and could not be dealt with from either a protective or preventive perspective. After the World War II, growth in the field of nuclear science and technology experienced a great rise. Each nation got a desire to equip themselves with nuclear weapons.

The number of nations with nuclear equipment quickly rose from 1 to 7 bearing in mind those are the countries that openly show their involvement in such directives. The effects of nuclear weapons however brought to light some questions that raise concerns over the use of such weapons (UNODA, 2017). Many remarked that there would be no winner in a nuclear war as the effects would transcend generation after generation, and the aftermath would leave both countries in catastrophic results that none would be able to manage or counteract the effect on neither human life nor the environment at large (Schlosser, 2013).

In 1996, the world court concluded the matter and declared that there was no legitimacy in the use of nuclear weapons. In line with this judgment, there was no valid or justifiable reason for the first use of nuclear weapons. Efforts in dealing with the applying of NW were initiated by the United Nations in 1946 when they formed a commission to deal with matters related to atomic energy. The Council strived to ensure that atomic energy was used for only peaceful purposes. The commission also set to remove nuclear weapons from national armaments. This was considered by a proposal by the commission known as inter alia. Other treaties also came into light, to address the use of nuclear weapons. The agreements include Treaty on Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) that controlled the testing of nuclear weapons by banning tests on an open atmosphere, and lastly, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Other contacts exist amongst nations that still have nuclear arsenals, such as between the U.S. and Russia.

Conclusion

The effects of weapons of mass destruction can be observed from the information above; nevertheless, concerned bodies have instituted several treaties in place to ensure the control of such weapons and associative prevention of catastrophic events. Disarmament proves to be the key goal of most of these conventions, as they believe the vital step is in destroying or regulating current existing research, preventing further one, and development of WMD after which the total depletion of WMD will be achieved. However, this process faces several challenges by countries that do not want to be a part of this new revolution. This could be attested to the fact that they have been either a current victim of such attacks or they possess a fear of being a future victim of this mode of warfare. Their point of reasoning may be validated from a protective instinct. However, it still doesn't make the world a better and safer place from having such weapons. Being victims, a Nation would always live in the shadow of after effects of WMD, based on which the positive solution in response would be the prevention of the use of such weapons ever again to any nation. However, even if their enemy does not engage in the revolution brought about their treaties, surrendering their WMD would leave them most vulnerable according to the citizens. Leaders in place may want to participate in peace treaties due to the significant reflection of citizens forced to maintain its current standing in protection of their majority votes. This issue poses a major challenge in the full cooperation of all nations in wiping out the use and existence of all WMD.

Based on history, one can note that CBRN weapons or assimilated mechanisms existed in the past due to growth in science, technology, and in the need brought about by wars, experienced drastic growth and development. The same growth is currently being experienced in science and technology that can lead to greater catastrophic events if incorporated to WMD. The need for growth and development in such instances is brought about by war.

Recommendations

Recommendations for this study are in reflection of the key research questions related to WMD planning and strategies put in place to prevent the use and effect of WMD. The UN Security Council Resolution 1540 provides significant initiatives to this matter through the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). In 2004, the Security Council decided to face the issue concerning nations that refuse to engage in the revolution regarding the abolishment of key WMD. This body put into place an initiative that required member nations not to offer any form of support to other nations that engaged in the research and development of WMD of chemical, biological, and nuclear nature (UNODA, 2017). This support ranges from primary level to a secondary one. The primary nature of this aid is facilitating the supply, trade, or distribution of essential elements of both science and technology that are utilized in the research and development of WMD. UNODA also assists nations to achieve this by providing effective partnerships with the major stake holders. Apart from that they also ensure there is international cooperation between regional and sub-regional organizations. These recommendations by the UN Security Council provide a basis for the revolution. However, current predicament indicates that war is changing from the norm that it took place among nations. Now extremist groups pose a threat to several nations based on different civil and religious difference. They also have the funding and support of key members in society that want to push their agendas at the expense of others. This form of attack is highly crucial, as it is unexpected and unpredictable. Based on the current growth of such groups, WMD are now at their disposal. However, the existence of such weapons is also blamed to nations that still facilitate the development of them (NTI, 2010).

Therefore, the new kind of assaults is based on WMD. However, the nations managed to institute protective measures against such forms of violent actions, through the use of high-security alert systems and intelligence bodies brought about to eradicate the existence of extremists. A key recommendation for such an event is the cooperation of nations across the border with a common goal. The extremist groups are not limited to one nation thus it is evident that all countries should work together and foster an integration of their intelligence and law enforcement bodies to eliminate such threats.

In the long run, the above-mentioned enhanced reliance will eradicate the enmity amongst nations based on experience and rather shift their concerns to particular extremists that pose threat. Besides, based on the fact that given groups have small members compared to the size of a nations' citizens, the use of WMD by nations won't be viable for this form of war. On the other hand, they are keen on using WMD for a greater effect. Thus, abolishing WMD, associated research, and development would limit their initiatives to use WMD making the world a safer and better place for all.

References

Carus, W. S. (2012). Defining weapons of mass destruction. NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV FORT MCNAIR DC CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Delgado, G. C. (2008). Proliferación Nuclear y Estado de Excepción (Nuclear Proliferation and State of Exception). Journal of Human Sciences, 5(1).

Glauser, H. (2011). Seaborne Delivery Interdiction of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). doi:10.2172/1021562.

Laura, R. (2015). Peace and world security. Weapons of Mass Destruction, 3(5), 12-32. Retrieved from https://www.hampshire.edu/pawss/weapons-of-mass-destruction

NTI. (2010). WMD Terrorism Remains Grave Threat, U.S. Says. Retrieved from: http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/wmd-terrorism-remains-grave-threat-us-says/

Schlosser, E. (2013). Nuclear weapons: an accident waiting to happen. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/14/nuclear-weapons-accident-waiting-to-happen

Sharma, R. K. (2010). Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear disasters: Pitfalls and perils. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences, 2(3), 155-156.CTION.

Stearns-Boles, S. L. (2017). The Future Role and Need for Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century. INST FOR NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES US AIR FORCE ACADEMY CO.

UN. (2007). The danger of nuclear weapons use as high today during the cold war; disarmament commission told as general discussion concludes. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/press/en/2007/dc3064.doc.htm

UNODA. (2017). Weapons of Mass Destruction. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd