Definition of WMD
Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are a type of weapon capable of causing significant harm to human life and health and impacting the environment. The modern definition of WMD includes chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear means. They can be deployed for military purposes or for terrorist acts.
Types of WMD
Chemical
Chemical WMDs are used to harm people’s lives using toxic chemical agents. They can be deployed as gases, liquids, or aerosols, making them easy to use and spread. For example, Zyklon B, sarin, and phosgene are all poisonous gases that have been used in the past to kill or injure many people (Walker, 2019).
Biological
Biological WMDs involve using microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins. They can be deployed by spraying them into the air, food, or water, leading to mass infection of people and animals. Some of the most well-known biological agents include anthrax, cholera, and the Ebola virus (Walker, 2019).
Radiological
Radiological WMDs use radiation to harm human life and affect their environment. They can be deployed by using nuclear explosions or radioactive materials, which can be sprayed or placed in explosive devices (Walker, 2019). Substances such as uranium and plutonium can be used to create nuclear bombs, while radioactive iodine and cesium can be used to create “dirty bombs.”
Nuclear
Nuclear WMDs are the most dangerous type of weapons of mass destruction. They involve the use of nuclear bombs, which can cause enormous harm to human life and impact the environment. Control over nuclear WMDs is carried out through international agreements, such as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and their Destruction, the that on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and their destruction, as well as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
However, nuclear WMDs remain a threat to global security despite all these measures. Therefore, work must continue to prevent and eliminate them. Every citizen should be vigilant and know what actions to take in case of leaks of dangerous substances or terrorist attacks. Ultimately, reducing the risk of nuclear WMDs can only be achieved through international cooperation and interaction between states and society as a whole.
Reference
Walker, W. (2019). Weapons of mass destruction and international order. Routledge.