Description
Book SynopsisWhether possessed by a state or non-state actor, the specter of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs), and more specifically, nuclear weapons and their associated material, present a significant threat to global security. Notwithstanding the fact that there are fewer nuclear weapons today than the massive stockpiles that existed during the height of the Cold War, the complexities relating to nuclear security have in many ways intensified amid globalization and porous borders. More states in volatile regions possess such weapons, UN Security Council states are busily modernizing their weapons, and non-states actors have made it clear their intention to use such weapons should they attain them. The emerging prospect of a cyber-attack, or a misunderstanding that could potentially evolve into a limited regional nuclear war, would both have dire global ramifications and are scenarios that should not be considered farfetched. Additionally, concerns pertaining to chemical and biological weapons,
Trade ReviewComprehensive and timely, Weapons of Mass Destruction is focused firmly upon the security challenges that WMD, nuclear and non-nuclear, pose to the 21st century. It presents a finely-judged account of the successive phases of nuclear history, blending well-grounded historical summaries with acute policy commentary. Writing with admirable clarity, Siracusa and Warren document how the road from 1945 led us to where we are today, with nuclear terror compounded by the insidious threats of chemical and biological attack. They show how the knife-edge stability of the Cold War was seceded by the emergence of new players and new threats which together transform the global security threat. -- Ken Young, professor in the Department of War Studies, King's College London
If you want to understand the contemporary nuclear age, how we got here, and where we are headed, look no further than this tour de force by Joseph Siracusa and Aiden Warren. Unlike previous treatments of the nuclear age which tended to focus overwhelmingly on the superpower experience, Siracusa and Warren deftly contextualize the entire nuclear age by giving equal treatment to the proliferation histories and challenges presented by regional nuclear powers—precisely those powers that pose the greatest challenge to nuclear security and nonproliferation today. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone who cares literally about the future of the world. -- Vipin Narang, associate professor of political science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Joseph Siracusa and Aiden Warren are internationally-recognized security studies scholars based in Australia and their new book, Weapons of Mass Destruction, provides an excellent overview of the past, present, and future of WMD challenges. The book is highly recommend to students who will gain from a comprehensive examination of the major issues and to more seasoned experts who will benefit from the authors’ original insights and analysis. -- Matthew Kroenig, associate professor of government and foreign service, Georgetown University
Siracusa and Warren achieve an exceptional feat by packing several decades worth of WMD history into a neat read. They take us on a journey starting in the Cold War and guide us to today, telling the story of how most destructive weapons remained a steady and dangerous fixture of the international security landscape. The authors provided true service to the field by writing a foundational text that serves as a perfect introduction to the field of WMD non-proliferation. -- Togzhan Kassenova, Nuclear Policy Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Table of ContentsAbbreviations/Acronyms Introduction Chapter 1. World War II and the Race for the A-Bomb Chapter 2. The Cold War Part a: The Nuclear Arms Race and NSC 68 Part b: Reagan, Gorbachev and the end of the Cold War Chapter 3. UN Security Council Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) – United Kingdom, France and China Chapter 4. Non-UN Security Council Nuclear Weapon States – Israel, India, Pakistan, North Korea (and Iran) Chapter 5. The Global Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime Chapter 6. The Modern Era: The Post-Cold War and Beyond Chapter 7. Biological and Chemical Weapons, and Nuclear Terrorism Conclusion Bibliography
