This episode of The IR thinker explores the history, present landscape and future risks of chemical and biological weapons with Dr Brett Edwards, tracing their evolution from early use to contemporary arsenals and dual-use technologies. The discussion examines verification and disarmament, how these weapons feature in national defence planning, the ethical and legal debates surrounding them, international control regimes and the specific concerns raised in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.
Dr Brett Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in Security and Public Policy at the University of Bath. His research sits at the intersection of security, non-proliferation and responsible innovation, with a particular focus on chemical and biological weapons disarmament and non-proliferation.
Content
00:00 - Introduction
01:43 - Inventory of Global Chemical and Biological Weapons Capabilities
06:41 - Evolution of Chemical and Biological Weapons Through History
11:59 - Verification of Chemical and Biological Weapons Disarmament
13:51 - Integration of Chemical and Biological Weapons into National Military Strategies
16:31 - Preparedness Against Chemical and Biological Weapons Attacks
19:31 - Ethical Considerations in the Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons
24:25 - International Collaboration in Controlling Chemical and Biological Weapons
30:11 - Challenges in Prohibiting Chemical versus Biological Weapons
35:57 - Techniques for Detection of Chemical and Biological Weapons
42:04 - Post-Deployment Detection and Impact Assessment of Chemical and Biological Weapons
44:34 - International Sanctions as a Response to Chemical and Biological Weapons Violations
48:58 - The Role of Chemical and Biological Weapons in the Ukrainian Conflict
56:23 - Anticipating Future Challenges in Chemical and Biological Weapons Proliferation
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