ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the nuclear arms race in terms of its technological aspects and its political implications. It explains biological and chemical weapons, theory of conflict and some regional case studies. Weapons and strategy interact because it is the quality of nuclear weapons that determines their strategic uses, while at the same time strategic thinking may be an important factor in weapon developments. There is ample evidence that at present the nuclear arms race is strongly technologically determined. The general problems of nuclear armament and arms control were introduced from different perspectives of academic disciplines and diplomatic practice. But most participants were agreed that nuclear weapons have had a deep impact on the practice and theory of international politics. An issue that come up in most discussions on conventional, biological, chemical, and nuclear disarmament is the problem of verification. International politics being basically anarchic, planned general and complete disarmament is impossible.
