Chemical Warfare

A reassessment of the policies of disarmament and deterrence within a broad historical and strategic context. The author argues that poison gas could still be used in a modern European conflict that the Soviet forces are the best equipped to operate in a contaminated environment and that weaknesses persist in NATO's anti-chemical defences and its deterrent. It is emphasized that the Geneva disarmament talks still face difficulties over the issues of verification and compliance. Above all it is claimed that the onset of nuclear parity between superpowers has eroded the credibility of a deterrent to chemical attack. This book contends that the United States should modernize its stockpile of chemical weapons to bolster the Western deterrent and to provide more leverage for the negotiations in Geneva. Edward Spiers is also author of "Haldane: An Army Reformer ", "Army and Society, 1815-1914", "Radical General: Sir George de Lacy Evans" and "Chemical Weaponry - A Continuing Challenge".