VII. Conclusions

Chapter:

10. Reducing security threats from chemical and biological materials

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2010

Author(s):

John Hart, Peter Clevestig

An emphasis on control and oversight of chemical and biological materials implies reduced focus on traditional state military programmes. In addition, the international trade in biological and chemical materials and technologies entails uncertainties and challenges. The negative effects of the signals that have been given to non-state actors by various threat assessment statements about the desirability of using chemical and biological weapons, and the anxiety that such use would provoke, could be mitigated by better understanding of the variability of the effects of CBRN weapons. Operational challenges associated with determining the volume and type of trade in dual-purpose material technology and intangible technology transfers can also inform threat assessments. This, in turn, would help to promote a balanced understanding of the role of future CBW threats in international peace and security.