ABSTRACT

Introduction This chapter examines the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation. It does so by analyzing the nuclear, biological, and chemical dimensions that are frequently subsumed under the “WMD label.” In addition, the chapter outlines some of the principal obstacles complicating the management of WMD proliferation, as well as some of the steps that have been taken to address such hurdles. The chapter ends with a brief consideration of future trends in WMD proliferation.