Ballistic Missiles and Weapons of Mass Destruction: What is the Threat? What Should be Done?

Fetter, Steve

doi:10.2307/2539050

Cited by 99 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Although gas was used extensively in the First World War, it accounted for less than 1 percent of the battle deaths (Gilchrist, 1928:7). In fact, on average it took over a ton of gas to produce a single fatality (Fetter, 1991:15). In the conclusion to the official British history of the war, chemical weapons are accordingly relegated to a footnote that asserts that gas “made war uncomfortable … to no purpose” (Edmonds and Maxwell‐Hyslop, 1947:606).…”

Section: Threat Exaggeration After the Cold Warmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simplicity and Spook: Terrorism and the Dynamics of Threat Exaggeration

Mueller¹

2005

Int Studies Perspectives

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It has been common, at least since 1945, to exaggerate and to overreact to foreign threats, something that seems to be continuing with current concerns over international terrorism. This paper sketches threat exaggeration during the Cold War and applies the experience from that era to the current one. Alarmism and overreaction can be harmful, particularly economically. And, in the case of terrorism, it can help create the damaging consequences the terrorists seek but are unable to perpetrate on their own. Moreover, many of the forms alarmism has taken verge on hysteria. The United States is hardly ''vulnerable'' in the sense that it can be toppled by dramatic acts of terrorist destruction, even extreme ones. The country can, however grimly, readily absorb that kind of damage, and it has outlasted considerably more potent threats in the past.

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Section: Threat Exaggeration After the Cold Warmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simplicity and Spook: Terrorism and the Dynamics of Threat Exaggeration

Mueller¹

2005

Int Studies Perspectives

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show abstract

“…7 This surprise attack capability almost assures the destructive power of a ballistic missile warhead (Table 2). 8 The second worrisome characteristic is that ballistic missiles have tremendous capability to inflict both physical destruction and psychological trauma. Since capabilities differ according to delivery accuracy and types and sizes of warheads used, careful analysis is required for each specific weapon type.…”

Section: Ballistic Missile Dangers Around Japanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ballistic missile security risks facing Japan

Yamamoto¹

1995

Asia-Pacific Review

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“…Many countries are also interested in developing or acquiring advanced conventional weapons, for example, cruise missiles as well as cutting-edge computer technology to facilitate weapons development. 6 In addition to the arms control treaties noted previously, there are several technology transfer regimes and arrangements designed to impede proliferation that analysts must monitor. These include the Missile Technology Control Regime (a voluntary agreement to exercise restraint in transferring cruise and ballistic missiles and their technology), the Australia Group (a voluntary agreement to control exports of chemical and biological agents and equipment), the Zangger Committee (nuclear technology and materials for NPT parties), and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, (nuclear technology and materials for all nuclear suppliers).…”

Section: Analytic Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%