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Weapons of Mass Destruction

A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is a weapon—be it nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or explosive—that can kill or injure large numbers of people or greatly damage the infrastructure of a country or region. RAND provides policymakers with objective guidance and recommendations to improve WMD preparedness, detection, and response, as well as international collaboration to counter WMD threats.

Report
The Risks of North Korean Weapons of Mass Destruction
In addition to its nuclear weapons, North Korea has amassed chemical, biological, and electromagnetic pulse weapons. It has also created an active cyber hacker force. What can the United States and South Korea do to deter and, if necessary, counter these threats?
Aug 29, 2022
Tool
DPRK Sanctions: Countering DPRK Proliferation Activities
This tool provides an understanding of sanctions regimes currently in force against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Apr 29, 2019
News Release
A Study of Potential Paths to Korean Unification Recommends Avoiding Approaches Involving Armed Conflict
An examination of nine potential paths to Korean unification recommends actions that the Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea) and the United States can take to set the conditions for stable reunification, should the opportunity arise.
Oct 31, 2018
Report
Alternative Paths to Korean Unification
There are many ways in which Korean unification could occur or be attempted, and each holds vast uncertainties. What actions could South Korea and the United States take to set the conditions for stable reunification?
Oct 31, 2018
Report
The Korean Peninsula: Three Dangerous Scenarios
An analysis of three potential security challenges on the Korean Peninsula points to rising threats that will pose significant demands on the U.S. Army. The United States needs to think in new ways about how it should deter North Korea and prepare for a possible conflict on the peninsula.
May 30, 2018
Commentary
The Mission to Counter WMD: Avoiding Missteps While Transitioning Responsibility
U.S. Special Operations Command will soon lead the Pentagon's anti-WMD efforts. SOCOM is well positioned to contain and reduce threats, but will need new expertise to prevent the acquisition of related material and respond to crises.
Feb 10, 2017
Commentary
Deterring ISIS's Ambitions
Western leaders cannot discount the possibility that ISIS may attempt a chemical attack within their borders. They should look to the robust alliances, treaty regimes, and international organizations to which most of them already ascribe as one way to address this threat.
Mar 7, 2016
Commentary
Russia on the Horns of a Nuclear Dilemma
While the murder of Alexander Litvinenko is a human tragedy, broader concerns about the lowering of WMD norms and violations of international law should be addressed. The use of radioactive matter to kill him represents a serious breach of international agreements.
Feb 19, 2016
Commentary
Celebrating the Success of Project Sapphire
Twenty years ago this week, the United States transported over 600 kilograms of at-risk, weapons-usable highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Kazakhstan to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for safekeeping. Kazakhstan had the courage to trust its new relationship with the U.S. to help prevent the proliferation of dangerous material to countries that might seek to build nuclear weapons.
Nov 21, 2014
Commentary
N.K. WMDs Carry Catastrophic Potential
The failure of the United States and South Korea to prevent North Korea from gaining significant quantities of weapons of mass destruction saddles those governments with serious military responsibilities, should North Korea go to war or should its government collapse.
Nov 19, 2014
Report
Cruise Missile Penaid Nonproliferation: Hindering the Spread of Countermeasures Against Cruise Missile Defenses
An attacker's missile-borne countermeasures to cruise missile defenses are known as penetration aids, or penaids. This research recommends export controls on penaid-related items under the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Oct 20, 2014
News Release
Pentagon Should Elevate the Importance of Eliminating Weapons of Mass Destruction in Operational Planning
Although the United States military has determined countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to be a strategic priority, policymakers have invested too little in the forces and capabilities needed to eliminate vulnerable arsenals.
Sep 24, 2014
Research Brief
Closing the Strategy-Policy Gap in Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
Two presidents have declared counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) a top national priority, but it has not been budgeted or resourced as such. This brief summarizes ground force capacities and capabilities needed to eliminate WMD.
Sep 24, 2014
Report
Pentagon Should Elevate the Importance of Eliminating WMDs in Operational Planning
Joint force commanders should carefully consider requirements for eliminating weapons of mass destruction in their contingency and operational planning. And DoD policy decisions involving Army force structure should consider the conventional ground force requirements of such operations.
Sep 24, 2014
Report
Penaid Nonproliferation: Hindering the Spread of Countermeasures Against Ballistic Missile Defenses
An attacker's missile-borne countermeasures to ballistic missile defenses are known as penetration aids, or penaids. This research recommends export controls on penaid-related items under the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Feb 26, 2014
Report
Assessing the Effectiveness of the International Counterproliferation Program
Addressing the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction requires interagency and international cooperation. This report demonstrates how one assessment framework can be applied to security cooperation programs.
Sep 12, 2011
Report
Early Observations on Possible Defenses by the Emerging Threat Agent Project
Gaps in defenses against chemical and biological weapon agents can pose a serious risk to U.S. military operations. This paper summarizes early expert observations about the threat and possible responses.
Jan 19, 2011
Report
Developing Global Partnerships to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction
This RAND National Defense Research Institute study outlines and then applies a four-step process for developing regional approaches to working with appropriate partner countries around the world in order to compensate for limited resources and knowledge in confronting weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats.
Feb 24, 2009
Journal Article
Technology Strategies for Homeland Security: Adaptation and Coevolution of Offense and Defense
Terrorists' strategies are driven by the types and range of weapons and other technologies they acquire.
Jan 1, 2009
Report
Enhancement by Enlargement: The Proliferation Security Initiative
The Proliferation Security Initiative consists of 91 countries seeking to limit the spread of weapons of mass destruction between states or non-state actors that would thereby pose a serious threat to global or regional security. This report assesses the perspectives of the five
Nov 21, 2008

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RAND Topic:
Weapons of Mass Destruction

Topic Synonyms:
CBRN;
WMD

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Bruce W. Bennett

Adjunct International/Defense Researcher

Bruce W. Bennett is an adjunct international/defense researcher at the RAND Corporation and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He works primarily on research topics such as strategy, force planning, and counterproliferation within the RAND International Security and Defense Policy…
Karl P. Mueller

Senior Political Scientist

Karl P. Mueller is a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. He specializes in research related to military and national security strategy, particularly coercion, deterrence, and escalation.

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