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  "authors": [
    "George Perkovich"
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    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
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Source: Getty

In The Media

Russia Submits Plan For Weapons Seizure in Syria

Russia has submitted a plan for chemical weapons seizure in Syria.

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By George Perkovich
Published on Sep 11, 2013
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Nuclear Policy

The Nuclear Policy Program aims to reduce the risk of nuclear war. Our experts diagnose acute risks stemming from technical and geopolitical developments, generate pragmatic solutions, and use our global network to advance risk-reduction policies. Our work covers deterrence, disarmament, arms control, nonproliferation, and nuclear energy.

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Eurasia in Transition

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Source: BBC World News

Speaking on BBC World News, Carnegie's George Perkovich discussed the proposal to seize chemical weapons from Syria and place them under international control. The Russian proposal could have significant value, said Perkovich, since the reason President Obama was considering the use of force in the first place was to deter the Assad government from using chemical weapons in the future. 

"With the announcement of this plan," said Perkovich, "you have Russia's prestige associated with the issue of chemical weapons and it becomes that much harder for the Assad government to use these weapons again, so already I think a deterrent against future use is starting to be established."

"Furthermore," added Perkovich, "the Russian interest and the international support for it begins to create a precedent that can be very useful in the area of chemical, biological weapons, and the precedent is 'if you use these weapons you will lose them,' so 'use them and lose them.'"

This interview was originally broadcast on BBC World News.

About the Author

George Perkovich

Japan Chair for a World Without Nuclear Weapons, Senior Fellow

George Perkovich is the Japan Chair for a World Without Nuclear Weapons and a senior fellow in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Nuclear Policy Program. He works primarily on nuclear deterrence, nonproliferation, and disarmament issues, and is leading a study on nuclear signaling in the 21st century.

    Recent Work

  • Paper
    How to Assess Nuclear ‘Threats’ in the Twenty-First Century

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  • Commentary
    “A House of Dynamite” Shows Why No Leader Should Have a Nuclear Trigger

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George Perkovich
Japan Chair for a World Without Nuclear Weapons, Senior Fellow
George Perkovich
SecurityNuclear PolicyMiddle EastSyriaRussiaLevant

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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