In our post-9/11 world of shoe bombers and cyberterrorism, a crude nuclear device no larger than a baseball could devastate a major city. As we live in fear of attacks of unknown proportion, why do people remain confused and complacent in the face of potential disaster? Ambassador Thomas Graham Jr. believes that a tide of misinformation has led to the public's lack of understanding of the vital issues. Here, in a straightforward and comprehensible style, Graham concisely provides the background necessary to understand the news and opinions surrounding WMDs. Common Sense on Weapons of Mass Destruction presents accessible, up-to-date facts on: nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism chemical and biological weapons land mines and small arms missile defense and WMDs in outer space WMDs in the Middle East and Asia

Foreword
Introduction
1. The Problems of Our Time: Nuclear Proliferation and Nuclear Terrorism
2. The Effects of Nuclear Weapons
3. An Overview of International Law and Arms Control
4. The Cornerstone of Security: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
5. The Political Value of Nuclear Weapons
6. Stopping Nuclear Explosions: The Test Ban
7. Missile Defense
8. Outer Space
9. Cleaning Up After Past Wars: Land Mines and Small Arms
10. Poison Gas and Microbes: Chemical and Biological Weapons
11. Controlling Nuclear Materials: The Situation in Russia
12. Regional Issues: Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East and Nuclear Weapons in South and Northeast Asia
13. America's Role
Conclusion
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1. Global Nuclear Status
Appendix 2. Global Nuclear Stockpiles
Appendix 3. Weapon Development Milestones
Chronology
Glossary
Index

Thomas Graham Jr. served for several decades as general counsel and acting director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. He was President Clinton's special ambassador for nuclear disarmament issues, and his work culminated in the agreement to indefinitely extend the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Graham is special counsel at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in Washington, DC, and teaches classes in international law and arms control.