Chemical Weapons
Syria is not a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention and has an extensive
and advanced chemical weapons program. According to U.S. intelligence agencies,
Syria currently has a significant stockpile of the nerve agent Sarin and is
working to develop the more deadly VX.1
Syria produces SCUD ballistic missiles of various ranges capable of carrying
chemical warheads as well as air-dropped bombs. According to the London Times,
Syria tested a SCUB B missile fitted with a warhead carrying VX in 1999.2
Syria's chemical weapons program dates back to the early 1970s when they first acquired materials and expertise from Egypt prior to the 1973 War against Israel. Since then, it is believed that Syria has received assistance with their chemical weapons program from Russia, India, China, and various western European countries. Syria's current indigenous capabilities allow it to produce several hundred tons of chemical weapons agents per year. According to the Monterey Institute of International Studies, ". . . open sources assert that there are at least three Syrian facilities currently engaged in producing CW, located near Damascus, Hama, and Safira village."
Biological Weapons
Syria has signed but not ratified the Biological Weapons Convention. Despite
being a signatory to the BWC, US intelligence reports assert that Syria continues
to "develop an offensive biological weapons capability." 3
Despite it advanced biotechnical infrastructure, it is believed that Syria would
need significant foreign assistance to manufacture large amounts of biological
weapons.
Egypt
Chemical Weapons Program
The first country in the Middle East to obtain and use chemical weapons, Egypt
employed phosgene and mustard gas in the mid-1960s against Yemeni royal forces.
It is believed still to have a research program and has never reported the destruction
of any of its chemical agents or weapons. Egypt is not a member of the Chemical
Weapons Convention.
Biological Weapons Program
Considerable evidence suggests that Egypt began a program that produced weaponized
agents in the early 1960s. According to US officials in 1996, Egypt had developed
biological warfare agents and there was no evidence to suggest that this capability
had been eliminated. At present, Egyptian officials maintain that Egypt never
developed, produced or stockpiled biological weapons. Egypt is not a member
of the Biological Weapons Convention.
Iran
Chemical Weapons Program
At the May 1998 session of the Chemical Weapons Convention Conference, Iran
became the first state to admit to having had a chemical weapon program. US
officials believe that, in the past, Iran has stockpiled blister, blood and
choking chemical agents, has weaponized some of these agents into artillery
shells, mortars, rockets and aerial bombs, and may still retina some weapons.
Iran is a member of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Biological Weapons Program
Iran is believed to still maintain an offensive biological weapons program,
including active research and the development of agents and some US officials
have claimed that Iran has biological weapons. Iran is a member of the Biological
Weapons Convention.
Israel
Chemical Weapons Program
Israel is believed to have an active research and development program for chemical
warfare agents and to have produced and stockpiled weapons. Israel is not a
member of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Biological Weapons Program
Israel is believed to maintain a sophisticated biological weapons program, which
may include anthrax and more advanced agents in weaponized form as well as toxins.
Israel is not a member of the Biological Weapons Convention.
Libya
Chemical Weapons Program
Libya is suspected of trying to establish an offensive chemical weapons capability
and an indigenous production capability for weapons. Libya is not a member of
the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Biological Weapons Program
While Libya is believed to have a program, it remains in the infancy stages
of basic research and development. Libya is a member of the Biological Weapons
Convention.
Sudan
Chemical Weapons Program
Sudan is believed to have an active interest in acquiring the capability to
produce chemical agents but is not believed to have done so yet. Sudan is a
member of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Biological Weapons Program
While Sudan is not believed to have a program, US officials have repeatedly
warned of an interest in developing one. Sudan is not a member of the Biological
Weapons Convention.
United States
Chemical Weapons Program
Established in 1918 and expanded during World War II, the US program slowed
in later decades. The program, considered the second largest in the world, consists
of over 30,000 tons of chemical munitions. The United States signed the Chemical
Weapons Convention in 1993, pledging to dispose of its entire stockpile, weapons
and former production facilities by 2007.
Biological Weapons Program
Established during World War II and expanded following the Korean War, the US
program was ordered destroyed by President Nixon in 1969. President Nixon unilaterally
and unconditionally renounced offensive biological weapons and sucessfully negotiated
the Biological Weapons Convention, banning all such weapons. In 1972 the United
States signed the Convention.
Sources:
1. "CIA's biannual "Acquisition of Technology Relating
to Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Advanced Conventional Munitions" report
to Congress 1 January - 30 June 2003. Released April 10, 2003
2. Michael Evans, "Russians Help Syria to Make Chemical Arms," London
Times, January 25, 1999
3."Proliferation Threat and Response," Department of Defense, January
2001
4. Deadly Arsenals: Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction. By Joseph Cirincione,
with Jon B. Wolfsthal and Miriam Rajkumar. Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace, 2002
Additional Resources:
- Global Trends Chapter of Deadly Arsenals (pdf)
- Carnegie Chemical Weapons Page
- Carnegie Biological Weapons Page
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