[Chemical weapons and chemical terrorism]

Area of Science:

• Chemistry
• International Relations
• Security Studies

Context:

• Chemical weapons (CW) are classified as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
• Their historical use, notably in WWI, highlights their destructive potential.
• Ease of production has led to CW being termed 'nuclear weapons for poor countries'.

Purpose:

• To categorize chemical weapons based on their physiological effects.
• To review the international legal framework governing chemical weapons.
• To underscore the necessity for updated countermeasures against chemical terrorism.

Summary:

• Chemical weapons are categorized into six types based on human body interaction: Nerve Agents, Blister Agents, Cyanide Agents, Pulmonary Agents, Incapacitating Agents, and Tear Agents.
• The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), effective since 1997, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) verification regime aim to prohibit CW development and facilitate disposal.
• Despite international efforts, the potential for non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, to acquire and use WMDs, as exemplified by the Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack, necessitates new security strategies.

Impact:

• Informs policy regarding WMD control and disarmament.
• Highlights the evolving threat landscape of chemical terrorism.
• Underscores the importance of international cooperation in chemical weapons non-proliferation.