Search

The article discusses the categorization of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and argues that the term can be misleading and misdirect resources. It specifically focuses on radiological weapons (RWs) and examines the programs of Egypt, Iraq, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The authors use a structured and focused comparison method to analyze the reasons for pursuing and ultimately renouncing RWs. They find that bureaucratic in-fighting and organizational politics played a significant role in inhibiting the deployment of RWs, and that the effectiveness and utility of these weapons were called into question. The article also highlights the obstacles to deterrence and emphasizes the importance of not disregarding the threat posed by RWs. [Extracted from the article]