The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has continued to give cause for concern even after the end of the Cold War. This book analyses how the prospects for proliferation have changed since the 1990s, particularly in light of the Gulf War and the UN inspections of Iraq. It will examine the new pattern of incentives and disincentives for proliferation, the utility of these weapons at state and sub-state levels and their implications for arms control and international security.
Often described as the misuse of science, chemical and biological weapons have incurred widespread opposition over the years. Despite condemnation from the United Nations, governments, and the disarmament lobby, they remain very real options for rogue states and terrorists. In this new edition of Agents of War, Edward M. Spiers has expanded and updated this much-needed history with two new chapters on political poisoning and chemical weapons in the Middle East. Spiers breaks new ground by presenting his analysis in both historical and contemporary contexts, giving a comprehensive chronological account of why, where, and when such weapons were used or suspected to be deployed.