What Are the Legal and Policy Implications of Conducting Preemption and Interdiction Against a Weapons of Mass Destruction?

Abstract

This study examines current United States nuclear weapons policy and the legal and foreign policy aspects of preemption or interdiction against a weapon of mass destruction (nuclear), specifically when possessed by a terrorist organization in the sovereign territory of another state, The study was inspired by the concept of sovereignty, and chosen before the events of ii September 2001 Regardless of the effects of counterproliferation and international nuclear reactor safeguard programs, a state-sponsored terrorist-delivered nuclear weapon is only a matter of time. This study will review the technical aspects of nuclear weapons and their design, deterrence, strategy, policy, and the current legal framework that exists in the international arena. Finally, this thesis will examine historical events of counterproliferation by preemption, and identify gaps or shortcomings, if any, in current United States policies. It concludes that a terrorist-produced weapon is an eventuality and proposes the sustainment of current policies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA408801

Entities

People

  • Frederic J. Sheehy

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Counter IED
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fusion Weapons
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Bombs
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Recreation
  • Treaties
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies