Defence Against Terror Weapons: Why Are Chemical Weapons Still Used and How Do We Defend Against Them?

Despite chemical weapons being prohibited in 1997 when the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) came into force, states still spend considerable resources towards Chemical Warfare Defence (CWD). The chapter argues against claims that chemical weapons fundamentally lack utility in warfare. Such claims miss the point about perceptions of the weapons’ ability to create terror to explore the terror aspect around chemical weapons, this chapter combines literature around chemical weapons’ ability to cause psychological terror with taboo literature to support its argument. However, this chapter argues against conventional taboo approaches. This is because analysis of the taboo primarily focuses on explanations of non-use. This chapter puts forward the case that social and psychological perceptions of chemical weapons can be studied in order to explain why the weapons are used. It is psychologically taxing to defend against chemical weapons. This chapter then uses two examples of states’ defences against chemical weapons, the First World War, and the Iran-Iraq War, finding some key similarities between them. Following this, the chapter uses informal discussions with CWD experts to understand perceptions of chemical weapons, whilst also understanding CWD institutions’ broader social and normative place in history.