Chemical Weapons: Who Has Them? Who Makes Them? And How Deadly Are They?

14:27

August 26, 2013

Israeli Defense Forces soldiers take part in a drill that simulates a chemical rocket attack in Jerusalem Wednesday, 29 May, 2013. (Abir Sultan/AP)

As evidence mounts that chemical weapons were used last week in Syria, and the White House deliberates on U.S. responses, Here & Now turns to international security expert Jim Walsh to ask:

What is a chemical weapon and what kind of stockpile does Syria have?
Which other nations possess them and who manufactures them?
What are the technological hurdles both for manufacturing chemical weapons and for using them?
How much trade is there across borders, in fully developed chemical weapons and in related materials and technology?

Guest

Jim Walsh, expert in international security at MIT's Security Studies Program. He tweets @DrJimWalshMIT.

Opinion pieces by Jim Walsh

Syria: Worse Than You Think
Use Of Chemical Weapons Could Be Syria’s ‘Bloody Crescendo’

This segment aired on August 26, 2013.