The Alliance is based on the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed in Washington on 4 April 1949. A disease spread through contaminated food, typhoid fever causes diarrhea and rash. Signed by U.S. President Bill Clinton, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk in January 1994, the Trilateral Statement on the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Means of Their Delivery committed Ukraine to rid itself of nuclear weapons and to transfer 200 SS-19 and SS-24 warheads to Russia over a ten-month period. This approach to the organization of ballistic missile defense efforts in Europe was announced by U.S. President Barack Obama's administration in September 2009. After Bernard Baruch proposed the plan in 1946 at the United Nations, the United States and the Soviet Union held negotiations on the program but never reached agreement. A gas at room temperature, phosgene can be delivered as a pressurized liquid that quickly converts to gas. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush signed the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, also called the Treaty of Moscow on 24 May 2002. A U.S. program announced by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the United Nations on 8 December 1953 to share nuclear materials and technology for peaceful purposes with other countries. The surplus fissile material is produced by surrounding the core of the reactor with a blanket of fertile U-238, which is transmuted to plutonium (Pu-239). Achieved via the process of enrichment. A sharp pulse of radio-frequency (long wavelength) radiation produced when an explosion occurs in an asymmetrical environment, especially at or near the earth's surface or at high altitudes. The inclusion of this type of provision in an agreement increases the likelihood of detecting weapons at sites not declared in the data exchanged under that agreement. Launched by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in March 1983, the SDI was aimed at studying the feasibility of research and development of defensive measures against ballistic missiles, with the ultimate goal of establishing a national missile defense system that would protect the United States from ballistic missile attacks. The Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) is an intergovernmental agency created by the Treaty of Tlatelolco to ensure that the obligations of the Treaty are met. For additional information, see ASEAN. The treaty also stipulates that the exploration and use of outer space be carried out for the benefit and in the interest of all countries, and that the moon and other celestial bodies are to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. Tularemia infection causes fever and skin lesions, and can eventually develop into pneumonia. The predecessor to the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, the ENDC existed from 1962 to 1968, and hosted most of the negotiations concerning the NPT text. A system of missile interceptors designed to intercept ballistic missiles launched from a certain region or area. UF6 (Uraniumhexafluoride or "hex") is the chemical form of uranium used to enrich uranium in a centrifuge. The “three pillars” of the NPT are nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Pentagon formally changed the name of the SIOP in 2003, to OPLAN 8044 Revision (FY). See entry for Dual-use. HD is closely related to the nitrogen mustards (HN-1, HN-2, HN—3). The dose of radiation expected to cause death to an exposed population within 30 days to 50 percent of those exposed. See entry for Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and Treaty of Moscow. The Treaty was in force from June 2004 until February 2011, when it was superseded by the New START treaty. The agreement outlined a 10-year program during which the United States, South Korea, and Japan would construct two new light-water-moderated nuclear reactors in the DPRK in exchange for the shutting down of all of the DPRK’s existing nuclear facilities. A choking agent, phosgene gas causes damage to the respiratory system leading to fluid build-up in the lungs. In June 1998, the foreign ministers of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovenia, South Africa, and Sweden issued a statement calling for a new nuclear disarmament agenda. The BTWC was opened for signature on April 10, 1972, and entered into force on March 26, 1975. The Treaty between the United States and the USSR on Underground Nuclear Explosions for Peaceful Purposes was signed in May 1976. For additional information, see the Arms Control and Regional Security page. A small amount of fusion fuel in the weapon increases the neutron flux, leading to a larger amount of the fissionable material undergoing fission, typically resulting in a higher yielding weapon. An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) document entitled "The Structure and Content of Agreements between the Agency and States Required in Connection with the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)." Tularemia is a disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that is native to rabbits and aquatic mammals, but is also one of the most infectious pathogens to humans. See entries for Extended deterrence and nuclear deterrence. 0 A predominantly animal disease, anthrax can also infect humans and cause death within days. It was formally dissolved on 1 April 1991. Discovered while attempting to produce more potent pesticides, sarin is the most toxic of the four G-series nerve agents developed by Germany during World War II. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization established on August 8, 1967, whose objectives include the acceleration of economic growth and the promotion of regional peace and stability in Southeast Asia. See world news photos and videos at ABCNews.com A long-range aircraft designed to drop large amounts of explosive power—either conventional or nuclear—on enemy territory. The principal aim is to enable the IAEA inspectorate to provide assurance about both declared and possible undeclared activities. Tularemia can survive in harsh conditions, and just one organism can cause human infection. Refers to the 2001 mailing of a total of seven letters containing anthrax to several U.S. news outlets and the offices of two U.S. senators. Formally known as the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, this protocol prohibits the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases, and bans bacteriological warfare. Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the USSR/Russia have all investigated anthrax as a biological weapon, as did the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo. A radical Islamist terrorist organization established by Osama bin Laden (now deceased), responsible for a number of attacks in the United States and worldwide, including the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. According to U.S. Presidential Decision Directive-63 of May 1998, critical infrastructure is defined as “those physical and cyber-based systems essential to the minimum operations of the economy and government.” The term is generally used in the context of discussing the vulnerabilities of, or the strategies to protect from physical and cyber attacks, systems such as “telecommunications, energy, financial services, manufacturing, water, transportation, health care, and emergency services,” according to U.S. Executive Order 13231 of October 2001. A nerve agent, VE was originally discovered and first weaponized in the United Kingdom. A common theme is the attempt to return to the simplicity of belief and interpretation which is believed to reflect the original character of the religion's founder or founders. A microorganism capable of causing disease. A program established by the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration in May 2004 to identify, secure, remove, and/or facilitate the removal of vulnerable nuclear and radiological materials around the world. Read more about the list of 300 best English baby girl … Subcritical assemblies are used primarily for educational purposes. Chemical weapons include blister, nerve, choking, and blood agents, as well as non-lethal incapacitating agents and riot-control agents. See entry for Cooperative Threat Reduction. Signed in 1968, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the most widely adhered-to international security agreement. Specialists who respond to incidents involving hazardous materials. The resolution also called on states to "minimize to the greatest extent that is technically and economically feasible the use of highly enriched uranium for civilian purposes, including by working to convert research reactors and radioisotope production processes to the use of low enriched uranium fuels and targets.” UNSCR 1887 also reaffirmed the need for full implementation of UNSCR 1540. For additional information, see KEDO. The program has focused primarily on: (1) destroying vehicles for delivering nuclear weapons (e.g., missiles and aircraft), their launchers (such as silos and submarines), and their related facilities; (2) securing former Soviet nuclear weapons and their components; and (3) destroying Russian chemical weapons. North Korea may have also weaponized hemorrhagic fever viruses. These can be launched from the air, submarines, or the ground. The foreign ministers of the five countries signed the treaty establishing the zone on 8 September 2006 at the former Soviet nuclear test site in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. The common name of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, as well as the name of the disease it produces. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly on December 9, 1999 and entered into force on 10 April 2002. The Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Seabed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction on the seabed, the ocean floor, and in the subsoil of the ocean floor beyond a signatory's 12-miles coastal zone. Gamma rays are similar to x-rays but have higher energies. High-energy, short wavelength, electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus. See entry for Positive security assurances. The Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, which was signed by the United States and the Soviet Union on May 26, 1972, and entered into force on October 3, 1972, constrained strategic missile defenses to a total of 200 launchers and interceptors per country, which were divided between two widely separated deployment areas. They do not mention that Sullivan was arrested in Utah during unrest in 2020. A riot-control agent, or RCA, is a chemical weapon of relative low-toxicity that produces highly irritating effects upon contact. A nerve agent, VG was originally discovered as a pesticide, and subsequently weaponized by the United Kingdom as one of the V-series nerve agents. Tabun causes uncontrollable nerve excitation and muscle contraction. A delivery vehicle powered by a liquid or solid fueled rocket that primarily travels in a ballistic (free-fall) trajectory. Play the new NTI game "Hair Trigger" to learn more. While typhoid fever is now only a public health concern in developing countries, typhoid fever outbreaks during wartime have occurred numerous times. A significant bioweapons concern, botulinum toxin has been investigated as a weapon by Japan, the Soviet Union, the United States, Iraq and unsuccessfully by the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo. In addition, the treaty requires all parties to apply International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to all their peaceful nuclear activities. Botulism is caused by exposure to botulinum toxin (a neurotoxin). As with other nerve agents, soman can cause death within minutes. A chemical used for legitimate medical or industrial purposes that is also highly toxic. For example, the NPT specified that it would enter into force after the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union (the Depository governments) and 40 other countries ratified the treaty, an event that occurred on March 5, 1970. CN is typically used as a riot control agent, and is rarely lethal. Fuel is considered “self protecting” if it is sufficiently radioactive that those who might seek to divert it would not be able to handle it directly without suffering acute radiation exposure. Machines, such as accelerators, radioisotope generators, and natural radionuclides may be considered sources. The Trilateral Statement also specified that Ukraine was to deactivate its SS-24s within the same ten-month period. Refers to the protocol of the 1991 START I Treaty, which entered in force in December 1994 as the result of negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union/Russian Federation, held between 1982 and 1993 to limit and reduce the numbers of strategic offensive nuclear weapons in each country’s nuclear arsenal. The Amendment to the CPPNM extended the convention’s scope to also cover the physical protection of nuclear material in domestic use, in storage, and during transport, and of nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes, and provided for additional cooperation between states. A system of accounting, containment, surveillance, and inspections aimed at verifying that states are in compliance with their treaty obligations concerning the supply, manufacture, and use of civil nuclear materials. The member states accept the application of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on all their nuclear activities. The treaty prohibits the research, development, manufacturing, stockpiling, acquisition, testing, possession, control, and stationing of nuclear explosive devices on any member’s territory. Accordingly, non-nuclear weapon states which are party to or have signed but not ratified the NPT must conclude a safeguards agreement with the IAEA. Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements allow and oblige the IAEA to ensure that all nuclear material and nuclear activities in a state are peaceful and not diverted to nuclear weapons. Refers to the process of blending down HEU to LEU. Examples include adamsite and DA. This approach is often combined with religiously justified political agendas which because they are divinely inspired, are not subject to negotiation or discussion. Fuel is considered “self protecting” if it is sufficiently radioactive that those who might seek to divert it would not be able to handle it directly without suffering acute radiation exposure. Also known as the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water prohibits nuclear weapons tests "or any other nuclear explosion" in the atmosphere, in outer space, and under water. Under a mandate from the U.S. Congress, the Department of Defense regularly conducts a comprehensive Nuclear Posture Review to set forth the direction of U.S. nuclear weapons policies. It is usually triggered by absorption of a neutron, but in some cases may be induced by protons, gamma rays or other particles. See entries for Arms Control, Transparency Measures, and Verification. Additionally, the committee has identified certain dual-use technologies as requiring safeguarding when they are supplied to non-nuclear weapon states. It entered into force 12 year later on 16 November 1994. The Treaty on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone, also known as the Treaty of Pelindaba, was opened for signature in Cairo in April 1996. The Rio Group does not have a secretariat or permanent body, and is governed by yearly summits of the heads of state. A name identifies your child in a unique way and will be a part of your child for the rest of his or her life. See entry for Active Defenses. The Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program was proposed by the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration and funded by Congress from 2005 to 2010. The model safeguards agreement approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency in February 1965 to safeguard individual nuclear facilities. A type of nuclear weapon with a higher explosive yield than a regular fission weapon. For more information, see the PSI. Arms control measures typically include monitoring and verification provisions, and may also include provisions to increase transparency between the parties. The Convention on Nuclear Safety commits states operating nuclear power plants to establish and maintain a regulatory framework to govern the safety of nuclear installations. Since then, a version of the SIOP war plan has dictated how U.S. nuclear forces would be used in a conflict. The intense electric and magnetic fields can damage unprotected electrical and electronic equipment over a large area. The provisions in the protocol are also known as the "Program 93+2". While not as toxic as VX, VM is still highly toxic, and inhalation of VM can cause death within minutes. For additional information, see the UNGA. In agreeing to a "no-first-use" policy, a country states that it will not use nuclear weapons first, but only under retaliatory circumstances. An informal term for a radiological dispersal device (RDD), a device pairing conventional explosives with radiological materials. Compared with other V-series nerve agents, VE is less toxic than VX but more toxic than VG, and is toxic enough to be suitable for weaponization. The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is a section within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Response Division, Operations Branch, and has the responsibility for managing and coordinating the federal medical response to major emergencies and federally declared disasters, including natural disasters, technological disasters, major transportation accidents, and acts of terrorism including Weapons of Mass Destruction. Organ systems sensitive to low oxygen levels, such as the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the pulmonary system, are particularly affected by cyanide poisoning. He noted that “the United States will take concrete steps towards a world without nuclear weapons.” The Prague speech served as the framework for the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review and subsequent U.S. arms control efforts. WGHP FOX8 - Piedmont Triad News, Live Video, Weather and more from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point surrounding areas The treaty also establishes a regional organization, the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (OPANAL), to supervise treaty implementation and ensure compliance with its provisions. A term used to quantify the energy of a nuclear explosion that is equivalent to the explosion of 1,000 tons of trinitrotoluene (TNT) conventional explosive. For additional information, see the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management. It eventually became the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missiles (HCOC). The complex of symptoms resulting from excessive exposure of the human body to acute ionizing radiation. The GTRI incorporated, among other programs, longstanding U.S. efforts under the RERTR program to convert domestic and foreign research reactors from highly enriched uranium fuel to low-enriched uranium fuel. Its purpose is to guarantee European security and human rights. Generally, they remain on stage throughout the remainder of the play. See entry for United Nations General Assembly. Such reactors are known as fast burner reactors. All countries ratifying the CWC become state parties to the CWC, and make up the membership of the OPCW. The mission of the FBI is to uphold the law through the investigation of violations of federal criminal law; to protect the United States from foreign intelligence and terrorist activities; to provide leadership and law enforcement assistance to federal, state, local, and international agencies; and to perform these responsibilities in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the public and is faithful to the Constitution of the United States. The Color Test. Launched in 1958 to facilitate the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes within the European Community. A particle with a positive electric charge located in the nucleus of an atom. KEDO was a consortium established in early 1995 to implement the 1994 Agreed Framework between the DPRK and United States. Fast breeder reactors are designed to produce more fissile material than they consume. The NPT provides for conferences of member states to review treaty implementation at five-year intervals. The energy equivalent released by 1,000 kilotons (1,000,000 tons) of trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosive. The first of six Main Committees of the United Nations General Assembly which deals with all issues related to disarmament and international security. Due to the DPRK's nuclear weapons program in violation of the 1994 Agreed Framework, the KEDO project has been suspended since November 2003. Victims develop painful blisters on their skin, as well as lung and eye irritation leading to potential pulmonary edema and blindness. An incapacitating agent, BZ causes delirium at very low doses. Yellow fever is naturally transmitted by mosquitoes, and remains common in many tropical and semi-tropical areas, particularly in Africa. Responding to India and Pakistan's nuclear weapon tests and sending a strong signal of Japan's consistent political will to support the NPT regime, the Forum issued a final report titled "Facing Nuclear Dangers: An Action Plan for the 21st Century,” containing a comprehensive nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation agenda. Once irradiated, nuclear fuel is highly radioactive and extremely physically hot, necessitating special remote handling. Blister agents include mustard, lewisite, and phosgene, and are usually dispersed as a liquid or vapor. The IAEA consists of three principal organs: the General Conference (of member states); the Board of Governors; and the Secretariat. For additional information, see entry for Strategic Arms Reduction Talks and START I Treaty. A pledge on the part of a nuclear weapon state not to be the first party to use nuclear weapons in a conflict or crisis. An elementary particle with a negative charge and a mass of 0.00055 amu (atomic mass units). These activities include the Stockpile Life Extension Program (LEP). Radiological dispersion device (RDD): Any device, other than a nuclear explosive device, designed to spread radioactive material. For additional information, see the CTBTO. The agreement establishing the agency was signed in Guadalajara, Mexico, on July 18, 1991. However, mustard exposure is usually not fatal. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military alliance that was formed in 1949 to help deter the Soviet Union from attacking Europe. It originally envisioned four phases of technological development and deployment between 2011 and 2020. The Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response is focused on minimizing the threat to health from terrorist acts, accidents, and chemical, biological and radiological threats. These restrictions were intended to prevent the establishment of a nationwide defense, and the creation of a base for deploying such a defense. A kiloton is equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT; a megaton is equivalent to one million tons of TNT. The NSG was established in 1975, and its members commit themselves to exporting sensitive nuclear technologies only to countries that adhere to strict non-proliferation standards. Throw-weight refers to the weight of the payload that a missile is capable of delivering, and is a measure of the destructive potential of a ballistic missile. The city in Japan where the first atomic bomb, "little boy," was dropped on 6 August 1945 during World War II. A transuranic element with atomic number 94, produced when uranium is irradiated in a reactor. The QDR outlines the U.S. Defense Department’s strategy for defending the United States and the resources needed to do so. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) requires each state party to declare and  destroy all the chemical weapons (CW) and CW production facilities it possesses, or that are located in any place under its jurisdiction or control, as well as any CW it abandoned on the territory of another state. In 1960, the U.S. Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff completed the SIOP 62.