Regional perspectives on the causes of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East

Abstract

The focus of this article is the causes of proliferation of nuclear, biologic, and chemical weapons, and their means of delivery—collectively referred to simply as weapons of mass destruction—in the Middle East. It seeks to explain the quest to proliferate in terms of the motivations of the major regional powers, the interconnectivity of the region, and local perceptions as to the nature of security threats. Finally, the article comments briefly on what the United States should do to control the proliferation incentive in the region.