From chlorine to sarin: chemical weapons, past and present

摘要

Ongoing conflict in Syria has returned the weaponisation of chemicals to maim and kill military-combatants and civilians to the public consciousness. The incidents of chemical weapons use in Syria, as part of the ongoing civil war, have globally demonstrated the tragedy these weapons can inflict. Conversely the award of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has demonstrated efforts and success in reducing and in some cases eliminating weapons stockpiles.