ABSTRACT
The general aversion to lethal chemicals has been a constant since World War I, and the grass roots demand for a nuclear freeze in Europe and the United States promises a similar response as the publics on both continents become aware of United States plans for renewed attention to another weapon of mass destruction. As might be expected, the breadth and scope of such ambitious chemical warfare (CW) plans have generated significant criticism from numerous military and civilian national security analysts. Some analysts concede that the Soviets have a significant CW capability but take strong exception to the view that they will use their chemical weapons in an offensive mode. Chemical weapons could afford the Soviet military planner great flexibility in a number of operational scenarios and situations. Chemical rearmament advocates note that, given the flexibility and lethality of chemical weapons, an investment of $7-14 billion during this decade is prudent and wise.
