Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) - chemical, biological and nuclear weapons - have already created severe anxiety in the region. The majority of cases of non-compliance with the NPT and the IAEA safeguards have occurred in the Middle East region and WMD in the form of chemical weapons have already been used in the region, demonstrating a willingness to cross thresholds that in other geographical areas are deemed taboo.
With increasing interest in a WMD-free zone in the Middle East the very process of regional discussions on security matters would be an important step forward.
Following the 2012 Conference on the Establishment of a WMD Free Zone in the Middle East, this project examines the possible outcomes from the conference and sounds out the potential boundaries and possible common agreements for ways forward. It employs the combined expertise on non-proliferation and disarmament and on the Middle East that exists in Chatham House.