| Publication |
2011.
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| Summary/Abstract |
As one Middle East arms control expert put it, "The Middle East has all it takes to frustrate
international arms control regimes".1
Ongoing territorial, religious, ethnic and other disputes
underpin the continuing presence of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the region.
States in the Middle East have used chemical weapons against external and internal
adversaries. At least one state-Israel-is presumed to have advanced nuclear weapons
capabilities, while four others-Iran, Iraq, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Syria-have violated their
safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and Egypt has
been found conducting some undeclared activities. Several of these states possess, pursued
or are pursuing WMD capabilities. In addition, some key regional actors do not even recognize
Israel, let alone share diplomatic relations. As a result of these intense and complex regional
relationships, there is virtually no security framework or organization in the Middle East, much
less a regional arms control culture. Many states in the region still perceive their own security
as a zero sum game, leading them to adopt offensive military postures.
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