Whether one is interested in learning about anthrax, sarin, the neutron bomb-or any other weapon of mass destruction-this thorough and detailed reference is the place to find answers.The threat posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD), whether nuclear, radiological, chemical, or biological, is the number-one topic of concern for the intelligence community, first responders, policymakers, and myriad non-governmental organizations-and many members of the general public. This authoritative reference will serve all of those parties by covering the full spectrum of mass-casualty weapons. The guide will not only enable people to educate themselves, but also to separate the truth from the spurious information that abounds. The book offers an A-to-Z listing of major topics, making finding information about concepts, scientific theories, and realities of WMD fast and easy. While the framework of WMD goes back centuries, the major focus of this reference is on weapons that date from the use of chemical warfare in World War I. The book also covers WMD from the early nuclear era (World War II), the Cold War, and the present (Syria, North Korea, etc.). Each entry is written in a clear, accessible style and includes crucial background information, making this book an essential resource for both lay readers and specialists. Armed with this portable database, readers will have the confidence to deal with, discuss, or write about WMD of all kinds based on an understanding of relevant concepts, policies, and scientific fundamentals.

Provides primary source documents, including a full listing of Australia Group export controlled substances, technologies, and biological agents

PrefaceIntroductory EssaysChemical and Biological Warfare as Weapons of Mass Destruction: A U.S. PerspectiveNuclear WeaponsREFERENCE ENTRIESAbrinAccidental Nuclear WarAgroterrorism (Agricultural Biological Warfare)Airborne AlertAl QaedaAmmonium Nitrate Fuel OilAnthraxAnti-Ballistic Missile TreatyAntinuclear MovementAnti-Satellite WeaponsArms ControlAum ShinrikyoAustralia GroupBaruch PlanBikini IslandBinary Chemical MunitionsBiological and Toxin Weapons ConventionBioregulatorsBlood AgentsBotulism (Botulinum Toxin)BrinkmanshipBroken ArrowBrucellosis (Brucella Bacterium)Chemical Weapons ConventionChernobylChina, People's Republic ofChlorine GasComprehensive Test Ban TreatyCooperative Threat Reduction Program (Nunn-Lugar Program)Crisis StabilityCriticality and Critical MassDe-alertingDeclared FacilityDepleted Uranium (U-238)DeterrenceDeterrence and Defense Posture ReviewDeuteriumEnrichmentExtended DeterrenceFalloutFentanylFissile Material Cutoff TreatyFranceFusionGun-Type DevicesHalabja IncidentHalf-LifeHemorrhagic Fever VirusesHighly Enriched UraniumHiroshimaHydrogen BombImplosion DevicesIndiaIntermediate-Range Nuclear Forces TreatyInternational Atomic Energy AgencyIranIraqIslamic StateIsotopesIsraelJoint Comprehensive Plan of ActionKaffa, Siege ofKilotonLibyaLimited Test Ban TreatyLithiumLow Enriched UraniumManhattan ProjectMegatonMissile DefenseMissile Technology Control RegimeMustard (Sulfur and Nitrogen)Mutual Assured DestructionNagasakiNapalmNerve AgentsNeutron Bomb (Enhanced Radiation Weapon)New START TreatyNorth KoreaNuclear Fuel CycleNuclear Nonproliferation TreatyNuclear Posture ReviewNuclear TabooNuclear Weapons Ban TreatyNuclear-Weapons-Free ZoneNuclear WinterPakistanPhosphorusPitPlaguePlutoniumPrague AgendaPrimary StagePsychoincapacitantsQ FeverRadiationRadiological Dispersal DeviceReprocessingRicinRussian Chemical and Biological WeaponsRussian Nuclear Forces and DoctrineSmallpoxSouth AfricaStaphylococcal Enterotoxin BStockpile Stewardship ProgramStrategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I and SALT II)Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I)Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II)Strategic Offensive Reductions TreatySyriaTactical Nuclear WeaponsTriadTritiumTularemiaUnited KingdomUraniumU.S. Chemical and Biological Weapons ProgramsU.S. Nuclear Forces and DoctrineV-AgentsWassenaar ArrangementWeapons of Mass DestructionWeapons-Grade MaterialYellow RainYieldPRIMARY DOCUMENTSChemical and Biological WeaponsBiological and Toxin Weapons Convention (1972)Chemical Weapons Convention (1993)Australia GroupList of Plant Pathogens for Export Control (2012)Control List of Dual-Use Biological Equipment and Related Technology and Software (2017)Control List of Dual-Use Chemical Manufacturing Facilities and Equipment and Related Technology and Software (2017)Export Control List: Chemical Weapons Precursors (2017)List of Human and Animal Pathogens and Toxins for Export Control (2017)Nuclear WeaponsAtomic Energy Act (1946)North Atlantic Treaty (1949)Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency (1956)Hot Line Agreement Summary (1963)Treaty of Tlatelolco (1967)Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968)Nuclear War Risk Reduction Measures Agreement (1971)Seabed Treaty (1972)Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (1972)Interim Agreement on Strategic Offensive Arms (SALT I) (1972)Prevention of Nuclear War Agreement (1973)Threshold Test Ban Treaty (1974)Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty (1976)Harmel Report and NATO Dual-Track Decision (1979)Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (1980)Nuclear Risk Reduction Centers Agreement (1987)Ballistic Missile Launch Notification Agreement (1988)Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) (1991)Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula (1992)Treaty on Open Skies (1992)Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II) (1993)Missile Technology Control Regime, U.S. Guidelines (1993)The Wassenaar Agreement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (1995)Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (2002)G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (2002)National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction (2002)New START Treaty (2010)NATO Deterrence and Defence Posture Review (2012)Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (2015)Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2017)Chronology of Chemical and Biological WeaponsChronology of Nuclear WeaponsBibliographyContributorsIndexAbout the Editors