This foundational primer offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution and current status of weapons of mass destruction and seeks to inform and advance policy debate in ways that support international security, while also adding important connective tissue between analytical areas in the IR and historical domains that often remain separate.

Abbreviations/Acronyms
Introduction
Chapter 1. World War II and the Race for the A-Bomb
Chapter 2. The Cold War
Part a: The Nuclear Arms Race and NSC 68
Part b: Reagan, Gorbachev and the end of the Cold War
Chapter 3. UN Security Council Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) - United Kingdom, France and China
Chapter 4. Non-UN Security Council Nuclear Weapon States - Israel, India, Pakistan, North Korea (and Iran)
Chapter 5. The Global Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime
Chapter 6. The Modern Era: The Post-Cold War and Beyond
Chapter 7. Biological and Chemical Weapons, and Nuclear Terrorism
Conclusion
Bibliography

Joseph M. Siracusa is Professor in Human Security and International Diplomacy and Discipline Head of Global Studies in the School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning, at RMIT University, Australia where he is a specialist in American politics and global security.