Yes / Julian P. Perry Robinson discusses the role of national and international authorities in the implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Protocol.

Yes / Daniel Feakes assesses the success of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and comments on the potential for such a regime for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

In 1988, the Iraqi regime executed the Anfal Genocide against its Kurdish population, killing a conservative estimate of approximately 50,000 to 100,000 Kurds (Human Rights Watch, 1993). This genocide involved the widespread usage of chemical weapons and marked a highly traumatic moment in modern Kurdish history. As of today, little academic research has been completed on the long-term medical and political consequences of exposure to chemical weapons in the Kurdistan region. This exploratory research aims to contribute to the body of literature on this topic through interviews with medical professionals, Kurdish politicians, and non-governmental organization employees that have expertise on the Anfal attacks and their aftermath. By following a semi-structured interview format with the help of a native Kurdish translator when necessary, this research project was able to collect novel information on the lasting legacy of chemical weapons in Iraqi Kurdistan. The commentary included topics like how to medically and politically address the aftermath of chemical weapons, and how chemical weapons changed Iraqi Kurdistan’s healthcare system, societal relationships, and economy. Data collected for the medical findings proposes that improvements to Iraqi Kurdistan’s general medical infrastructure and emergency healthcare capacity are necessary to aid Anfal survivors and the future safety of the nation. Evidence within the political findings suggests that chemical weapons are not only detrimental to health, but also to the social, economic, and international components of Iraqi Kurdistan’s politics. Overall, this project adds to the growing body of literature that focuses on contemporary Kurdish affairs within the context of historical violence.

Chemical weapons count among the weapons of mass destruction. In addition to chemical weapons, also nuclear and biological weapons belong here. Historically, chemical weapons rank among the oldest ones. Their initial steps were made in the distant past, even if they were not called so then. However, the initial utilization of chemical agents against human force is more connected with fire. It was used for protection against attacks of animals as well as people. Later on it was used to protect or capture towns and fortifications. The most extensive use of chemical weapons in war occurred during World War I. A large number of chemical substances was tested, the most important being phosgene. In 1917, German army used vesicant yperite near the town of Ypres. The development of chemical warfare agents continued also after the year 1918. During World War II, chemical weapons were practically not used. If it happened, then on the secondary fronts only. The main reason was the fear of possible retaliation. From 1939 to 1945, huge amounts of chemical warfare agents were made. Towards the end of the war this stockpile amounted to approximately 400 000 tonnes. After World War II, a new stage of chemical armament has begun. The greatest attention was concentrated on nerve agents, sarin, soman and agent VX. Chemical warfare agents have been further used also after the year 1945. In the not so distant past, Iraq used nerve-paralyzing agents and yperite during the Iran-Iraq War (1980 {--} 1988). Last but not least, the use of chemical warfare agents for terrorist purposes is to be mentioned. In January 1993, the global fight against chemical weapons culminated in signing of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. Under this Convention, chemical weapons were to be liquidated until the year 2007. States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention which did not comply with this deadline have asked for prolongation of the final deadlines for chemical weapons liquidation until 29 April 2012. The question remains if even this prolongation will fulfil the goal of the Convention {--} to ensure a world without chemical weapons. Until the time when the stockpiles of chemical weapons are completely liquidated their possible misuse cannot be excluded. The states which have not joined the Convention as yet and own limited stockpiles of chemical weapons can use them.

A holistic arms control (HAC) analytical framework was employed to explore the full range of mechanisms that could potentially be utilised to effectively regulate the development, stockpiling, transfer or use of riot control agents (RCAs), incapacitants and related means of delivery. From this analysis it is clear that the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and its attendant regime are the most appropriate and probably the most receptive mechanisms, at least in the short term, for the discussion of these concerns and the development of appropriate policy responses. However, the response of CWC States Parties to these issues is by no means certain and parallel processes should be established to explore alternative regulatory mechanisms with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, UN drugs conventions, international and regional human rights instruments, international humanitarian law, and transfer controls potentially yielding positive results in the next five to ten year period. Other regimes that may well prove important in the longer term include: the international criminal court and other international criminal law entities; the UN Secretary General's investigation mechanism and other ad hoc UN investigatory mechanisms. A comprehensive HAC strategy for the regulation of RCAs, incapacitants and related means of delivery will also require active involvement of informed and activist civil society in societal verification; development and promotion of norms prohibiting the involvement of scientific and medical communities in weaponisation programmes intended for malign application; and far greater active engagement of such expert communities in relevant State and international policy development processes.

This study will focus on examining the probabilities of justifying military interventions. In order to conduct this study, the U.S. will be the subject of interest. The paper will discuss and analyze the case of justifying an intervention by the U.S. in Syria. The analysis will be based on the Just War Theory by the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. To be able to conduct this study, official statements by the US government will be used to understand their reasoning concerning the subject. Mainly, statements will from the current and former heads of state, the American presidents, be analyzed. In the analysis of the paper, the criteria of the Just War Theory will be applied to the U.S. case with the objective to determine if the statements could justify an intervention. The outcome of Discussion and Conclusion reached the result that it would be justifiable for the U.S. to intervene in Syria. However, it becomes clear that the question of legitimate warfare and interventions are more complex than expected.

This thesis is an examination of the relationship between the institutional and practical workings of the late Apartheid state's Chemical and Biological Weapons Research Programme, code-named Project Coast. It is written against the background of the changing nature of the South African state in that period, and presents a partial picture of that change. The greatest part of the thesis, however, is a history of the Research Programme itself. The Programme's institutional structure was developed around the charismatic figure of Dr Wouter Basson: following Weberian arguments, it is clear that his charisma was used, within the bureaucratic structure of the Programme, to legitimate the scientific research projects undertaken. Two of these projects are examined in the body of this thesis: the first of these is an attempt to develop a new form of tear gas, the second is the attempt to develop a new form of contraceptive. The animating ideologies of these research projects are compared to each other, and to the supposedly hegemonic ideologies of the changing state, revealing discrepancies between these grand structures and their local workings. The importance of Basson's charismatic authority is emphasised by the rapid dissolution of Project Coast following his withdrawal from his leadership position at the end of the 1980s. By the end of the thesis, then, it seems clear that, within the legitimating aura of Basson's authority, the scientists at Project Coast developed a set of racial and political ideologies that more little to no substantive relationship to the seemingly hegemonic ideologies of the late Apartheid state, of which Project Coast was an organ. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "May 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-92). Also available online.

Currently, although we are not jeopardized by global conflicts, but when the threat of chemical or biological attack, especially from the side of some of terrorist groups or a belligerent state, is still real, it is necessary to use all possible available measures for the conservation of global security against conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction. The aim of this thesis is the following: To analyze texts of both stated Conventions and thus to get a consolidated view on the issue of biological and chemical weapons from the legislative point of view. To obtain, on the basis of the analysis and systematic comparison of particular provisions, an overview of identical and different elements in both Conventions. On the basis of results of the mutual comparison of particular provisions of both Conventions, to assess, according to their versions, meaning and extent, the influence on performance of both Conventions. After meeting these objectives it was possible to provide an answer to the stated research question: Are the measures formulated in international Conventions on the Prohibition of Biological and Chemical weapons sufficient in their importance, versions and extent, including the effective control? For the purpose of this thesis, theoretical part is focused especially on defining biological and chemical weapons and effective warfare agents. Furthermore, in order to obtain the idea of the importance of existence of international Conventions on the Prohibition of Biological and Chemical Weapons there is given a brief history of the use of these weapons in armed conflicts and a history accompanying negotiations regarding their prohibition. For completeness, the current state of biological and chemical weapons and compliance with both Conventions are given in conclusion. Second part of the thesis is devoted to the analysis and comparison of texts of both Conventions, so objectives of the thesis could be achieved and the research question could be answered. Stated objectives were achieved with the assistance of methods of the qualitative research. After detailed analysis of both texts and systematic assessment of individual measures contained in them, there were detected especially the range and overall text of each Convention. Subsequently, identical and different articles were mutually compared in order to observe the differences, which could have an impact on the performance of both conventions. After overall review of compliances and differences, and after the assessment of the scale, version and meaning of particular different provisions, the research question could be answered, and at the same time basic recommendations, whose importance may represent means to more efficient implementation of individual provisions of Conventions, could be defined. On the basis of results of comparison of particular provisions of both Conventions, in response to the research question it is necessary to state, that actions formulated in CWC, including its Annexes, appear to be sufficient for compliance with arising obligations. While measures contained in BWC, in particular in terms of the absence of any control measures, which could be used as an effective feedback regarding the implementation of provisions of the Convention, optionality to declare information on activities unrestricted by the Convention and inaccurate definition of components seem to be insufficient in its version, extent and meaning for this purpose. Essential reformation regarding the implementation of the objectives of BWC would be adoption of a complex of control measures according to the design of CWC, which has major impact on the objectives of the Convention. Proposed completion of existing articles, in case of which the change in wording would extend the scope of their versions and increase the emphasis on some areas of contained provisions for more efficient implementation of the Convention, may be also beneficial.

A holistic arms control (HAC) analytical framework was employed to explore the full range of mechanisms that could potentially be utilised to effectively regulate the development, stockpiling, transfer or use of riot control agents (RCAs), incapacitants and related means of delivery. From this analysis it is clear that the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and its attendant regime are the most appropriate and probably the most receptive mechanisms, at least in the short term, for the discussion of these concerns and the development of appropriate policy responses. However, the response of CWC States Parties to these issues is by no means certain and parallel processes should be established to explore alternative regulatory mechanisms with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, UN drugs conventions, international and regional human rights instruments, international humanitarian law, and transfer controls potentially yielding positive results in the next five to ten year period. Other regimes that may well prove important in the longer term include: the international criminal court and other international criminal law entities; the UN Secretary General¿s investigation mechanism and other ad hoc UN investigatory mechanisms. A comprehensive HAC strategy for the regulation of RCAs, incapacitants and related means of delivery will also require active involvement of informed and activist civil society in societal verification; development and promotion of norms prohibiting the involvement of scientific and medical communities in weaponisation programmes intended for malign application; and far greater active engagement of such expert communities in relevant State and international policy development processes.