Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 08/2011

A Middle East Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction: For a Comprehensive and Incremental Approach

Marc Finaud

July 2011

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Abstract

Although there is principle consensus on the aim of establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Middle East, opposing approaches have prevented progress towards it. The 2012 conference to be held as a result of the 2010 Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference offers an opportunity to make significant advances. However, the main obstacles remain the complex linkages to the regional strategic situation, the prospects of a peace agreement among all states of the region, and between WMD and conventional armaments. Indeed, because of protracted conflicts and the availability of resources, the Middle East is one of the most heavily armed regions of the world.