CIAO DATE: 03/2011
July 2010
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy
The focus of this study is on sanctions related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In this domain, a number of countries have engaged in activities that have undermined both the letter and the spirit of arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament agreements, in particular over the last two decades. Some of these activities were of a more technical nature, others were deliberate and may have serious consequences, threatening peace and security. Some of these activities have been largely ignored, others have resulted in sanctions and some have led to armed conflict. A few are still ongoing. This study investigates whether sanctions can help to solve these and similar future problems. Its main objective is to draw lessons from past and present crises of non-compliance, with a view to implementing a more complete and appropriate approach to the issues involved, to better understand the role that sanctions might and should play, to make recommendations for their use and to arrive at a better decision-making process concerning the imposition or management of sanctions.
Resource link: Sanctions and Weapons of Mass Destruction in International Relations [PDF] - 457K