Skip to page content

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Weapons of Mass Destruction

commentary
The Mission to Counter WMD: Avoiding Missteps While Transitioning Responsibility
U.S. Special Operations Command will soon lead the Pentagon's anti-WMD efforts. SOCOM is well positioned to contain and reduce threats, but will need new expertise to prevent the acquisition of related material and respond to crises.
Read More »
Feb 10, 2017
Defense One
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

Chemical Terrorism

commentary
Deterring ISIS's Ambitions
Western leaders cannot discount the possibility that ISIS may attempt a chemical attack within their borders. They should look to the robust alliances, treaty regimes, and international organizations to which most of them already ascribe as one way to address this threat.
Read More »
Mar 7, 2016
The Cipher Brief
Natasha Lander
Biological Weapons and Warfare

commentary
Russia on the Horns of a Nuclear Dilemma
While the murder of Alexander Litvinenko is a human tragedy, broader concerns about the lowering of WMD norms and violations of international law should be addressed. The use of radioactive matter to kill him represents a serious breach of international agreements.
Read More »
Feb 19, 2016
Foreign Policy Concepts
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Nuclear Deterrence

commentary
Celebrating the Success of Project Sapphire
Twenty years ago this week, the United States transported over 600 kilograms of at-risk, weapons-usable highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Kazakhstan to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for safekeeping. Kazakhstan had the courage to trust its new relationship with the U.S. to help prevent the proliferation of dangerous material to countries that might seek to build nuclear weapons.
Read More »
Nov 21, 2014
The National Interest
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Susan Koch, et al.
Weapons of Mass Destruction

commentary
N.K. WMDs Carry Catastrophic Potential
The failure of the United States and South Korea to prevent North Korea from gaining significant quantities of weapons of mass destruction saddles those governments with serious military responsibilities, should North Korea go to war or should its government collapse.
Read More »
Nov 19, 2014
The Korea Herald
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
commentary
Intelligence -- a Funhouse of Reflections
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Read More »
Feb 15, 2004
San Francisco Chronicle
Gregory F. Treverton
commentary
Why We Didn't Get the Picture
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Read More »
Feb 1, 2004
Washington Post
Bruce Berkowitz
commentary
The Decision for War Was Still Right
commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.
Read More »
Jul 18, 2003
Wall Street Journal
Charles Wolf, Jr.
commentary
N. Korea's Threat to S. Korea
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Read More »
Mar 7, 2003
United Press International
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
commentary
Forum: What's a 'Just War' These Days?
As we move from theory toward practice, Terrence K. Kelly re-examines the standards for an era of prolific weapons of mass destruction.
Read More »
Feb 16, 2003
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Terrence K. Kelly
commentary
War or Peace? Why, for Now, There Will Be No War with Iraq
commentaries by RAND Staff: Why, for now, there will be no war with Iraq.
Read More »
Jan 19, 2003
San Francisco Chronicle
Gregory F. Treverton
commentary
Iraq's Had Time to Really Hide Its Weapons Sites
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Read More »
Sep 19, 2002
Newsday
John V. Parachini @JohnParachini
commentary
Sitting on the Sidelines Isn't Good Enough
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Read More »
Mar 11, 2002
Los Angeles Time
Robert E. Hunter
commentary
Osama Bin Laden--Not Wanted: Dead or Alive
Turning the next phase of this conflict into the most expensive manhunt in history might well divert attention and needed resources from what should be the war's central aim: to defeat Al Qaeda before it mounts an attack with a weapon of mass destruction.
Read More »
Dec 30, 2001
Los Angeles Times
John Arquilla