Unit V Annotated Bibliography: Renica Jones, HLS 6320 Columb

Unit V Annotated Bibliographyrenica Joneshls 6320columbia Southern Uni

Following Bolat et al. (2022), strict guidelines are imposed by international humanitarian law on the selection of weapons and tactics. There are international conventions and laws prohibiting the deployment of weapons of mass destruction because these weapons must not inflict indiscriminate harm to civilians. They must not be prone to inflicting unnecessary damage or suffering on combatants. Mass destruction weapons do not abide by these regulations.

Threats from terrorist groups and criminal states looking to use WMD, or weapons of mass destruction, are becoming increasingly frequent, and the United States is constantly at risk. Albedwawi claims that nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or explosives are one sort of weapon of mass destruction.

Every type and category of WMD has a specific treaty governing it. The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), whose objective was to ban biological weapons entirely, and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which intended to stop the spread of WMD, particularly to non-state actors, are two examples of these treaties. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is another agreement to outlaw chemical weapons entirely. Finally, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), whose aim is to outlaw nuclear weapons completely, is mentioned in Kmentt's novel as signed in 2021.

Each of the United States and the UN has a specific role to play in upholding international law and the provisions of each treaty. The UN body's principal tribunal settles cases by states by international law. Furthermore, it offers legal advice on matters referred to by authorized UN bodies and specialized organizations. They also advance peace and security throughout the world. Human rights respect, delivering aid to the needy, supporting sustainable development, and climate action are also key roles. The ability to fully implement international law ultimately rests with the United Nations Security Council. Fines, maintaining peace, or formal reprimands are some ways they can do this.

Kent (2021) contends that several challenges exist in enforcing international WMD laws and regulations. Among these concerns are the risks posed by poverty, illness, and environmental degradation. The conflict between states poses a threat to human rights and violent threats. The threat of terrorism highlights the need for revising international law and treaties to enhance their effectiveness and inclusiveness in providing member states with security.

It is also possible to compel non-member states of the UN to abide by international law and conventions. The Security Council of the United Nations can officially denounce, impose sanctions, or otherwise enforce international law to achieve this aim.

Paper For Above instruction

The proliferation and regulation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) remain one of the most pressing issues in international security. These weapons, which include nuclear, chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive devices, pose catastrophic threats to global peace, human safety, and environmental sustainability. International law, through various conventions and treaties, seeks to limit the proliferation and use of WMD and to enforce disarmament among nations, although significant challenges hinder these efforts.

International Legal Frameworks Governing WMD

International conventions such as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) serve as pivotal legal instruments aimed at eliminating WMD threats. The BWC, established in 1972, bans the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons (Albedwawi, 2022). Similarly, the CWC, which came into force in 1997, commits its signatories to prohibit chemical weapons and to disarm existing stockpiles (Kmentt, 2021). The TPNW, adopted in 2017 and entered into force in 2021, aims to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons, emphasizing their humanitarian and environmental consequences (Kent, 2021). These treaties underscore the international community's commitment to disarmament, yet adherence and verification remain challenging due to geopolitical tensions and compliance issues.

Enforcement and Role of International Institutions

The United Nations plays an instrumental role in upholding international WMD regulations. The UN Security Council has the authority to impose sanctions, authorize military intervention, and demand compliance from member states regarding non-proliferation treaties (Bolat et al., 2022). The International Court of Justice (ICJ) serves as the principal judicial body to settle disputes between states concerning compliance with WMD treaties. However, enforcement relies significantly on the cooperation of states and the political will of the Security Council, which often faces obstacles due to conflicting national interests.

Challenges in Implementing WMD Laws

Despite well-established legal frameworks, enforcement remains problematic. Kent (2021) identifies challenges, including the risk factors posed by poverty, environmental degradation, and conflict. Such conditions can foster illicit proliferation, clandestine testing, and weapon deployment. Terrorist groups and non-state actors exacerbate these issues by attempting to acquire or develop WMD, causing international alarm (Okoro & Oluka, 2019). Furthermore, geopolitical rivalries among nuclear-armed states, such as unresolved North Korea issues or regional tensions in the Middle East, complicate global disarmament efforts. The verification process and compliance mechanisms are often criticized for lacking robustness, enabling clandestine activities that undermine treaty objectives.

The Role of Non-Member States and Enforcement Strategies

Enforcing compliance among non-member states is especially challenging. However, the UN Security Council can impose sanctions, launch diplomatic pressures, or extend technical assistance to promote adherence (Kent, 2021). Some scholars suggest that creating a robust international monitoring regime, alongside increased transparency measures, could enhance compliance (Feltes, 2021). Moreover, integrating regional organizations and fostering international cooperation are essential to curb proliferation risks, especially in regions with ongoing conflicts or fragile states.

The Ethical and Conceptual Issues Surrounding WMD

The classification of WMD raises profound ethical questions concerning their use and proliferation. Feltes (2021) highlights the politicization and contentious nature of defining WMD, which continuously evolves amid global debates. The moral implications of deploying such weapons, especially considering their catastrophic humanitarian impact, are central to international discourse. The threat of WMD in terrorism further complicates the issue, as terrorist groups seek to acquire biological or nuclear materials, posing an existential threat to humanity. These concerns underscore the importance of continued international dialogue, robust legal enforcement, and disarmament initiatives to foster global security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the international legal framework provides comprehensive mechanisms to control and eliminate WMD, persistent challenges in enforcement, verification, and geopolitical conflicts hinder progress. Strengthening international cooperation, increasing transparency, and fostering global disarmament initiatives are vital for mitigating the threats posed by WMD. The complex interplay of legal, ethical, and political factors requires sustained efforts from all stakeholders to ensure a safer and more secure world free from the menace of WMD.

References

• Albedwawi, S. A. A. M. (2022). Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) An Overview. South Asian Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 3(3), 103.
• Bolat, A., Saimova, S., Bekezhanov, D., Ashimova, D., Konysbekova, M., & Zhakupova, G. (2022). Modern problems of the law enforcement practice of the principle of disarmament in international security law. Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues, 25(1), 1–19.
• Kmentt, A. (2021). The Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons: How it was Achieved and Why it Matters. Routledge.
• Kent, A. (2021). The Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons: How it was Achieved and Why it Matters. Routledge.
• Okoro, O. I., & Oluka, N. L. (2019). Weapons of mass destruction and modern terrorism: Implications for global security. Asian Social Science, 15(3), 1–13.
• Feltes, J. (2021). Weapons of Mass Destruction—Conceptual and Ethical Issues with Regard to terrorism. In Counter-Terrorism, Ethics and Technology (pp. 49–69). Springer, Cham.