SUMMARY OF TREATIES WHICH REDUCE THE DANGER POSED BY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1970)

Prevents the transfer of nuclear weapons to non nuclear weapons states. Existing nuclear weapons states pledge not to use nuclear weapons against a non nuclear weapons state unless that state is aligned with a nuclear weapons states. All parties to eventually eliminate nuclear weapons. Treaty indefinitely extended in 1995.

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (1989) - START I

United States and Soviet Union reduce nuclear stockpiles by 40 percent, to about 6,500 per side.

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (1993) - START II

United States and Soviet Union reduce nuclear stockpiles to 3,000 -3,500 per side. Eliminated multiple independent re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (not negotiated) - START III

United States and Soviet Union have committed to reduce nuclear stockpiles to 2,000 - 2,500 per side.

Chemical Weapons Convention (1993)

Prohibits the development, production, stockpiling and use of toxic chemicals as a weapon. Will eliminate approximately 40,000 metric tons of chemical weapons in Russia. Ratified by over 100 nations, including Russia, China and Iran.

Biological Weapons Convention (1972)

Prohibits of the development, production and stockpiling of biological weapons. Negotiations underway to create a strong enforcement regime.