Customer Reviews

Common Sense on Weapons of Mass Destruction

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Previous reviewers aside, Ambassador Thomas Graham's book, Common Sense on Weapons of Mass Destruction, provides the reader with a knowledgeable look at a very serious problem which continues to plague today's global community: the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD's). The strengths of this book are threefold: it is brief, it is easy to understand, and it provides a basic understanding of the problem.

Understandably, WMD's and the underlying issues surrounding them, is a complex and not very well understood subject in today's society. Written on the premise that citizens should be informed on this critical issue and that information on "arms control, nonproliferation, and international law" should be accessible to the general public, Ambassador Graham's book addresses this need for information and provides a brief overview (194 pages), in an easy to read and understand format. True, this book is not an in-depth, all-encompassing and comprehensive monolith on Weapons of Mass Destruction, nor is it intended to be. It merely strives to provide the common reader, the common citizen, with a basic foundation of information about WMD's. In this it is successful. Surprisingly however, Common Sense, goes well beyond its stated purpose and also provides a good deal of background information about the various negotiations and weapon treaties as well. Equally informational, are the appendices, which provide some startling revelations regarding the extent of WMD proliferation.

This book will not provide all the answers on WMD's but it is a good place to start - especially in light of recent developments in North Korea and Iran. Leave the politics behind and get informed!

Suitable for younger readers as well - junior high / high school to college level.

JPW

Graham provides a good summary of the development of treaties and agreements meant to curb, and ultimately reduce the amount of weapons (nuclear and otherwise). The chapters are arranged logically and his writing style is clear. Jargon is at a minimum and there is a helpful glossary at the back of the book. His chapter on chemical and biological weapons is far too brief considering the prevalence of chemical and biological weapons used in wars going as far back as WWI. This is a minor foible though.

I have only given it three stars because of two annoying features that pervade the book. Graham follows the Liberal school of foreign relations: international law, agreements, arbitration, the United Nations, ect. For Graham, "All states should pledge their commitment to the international rule of law and the preeminence of the Security Council in keeping the peace" (pg. 19). This is the only interpretation of events given in the book. This is also the weakness of the book as he places far too much emphasis, and therefore hope, on the negotiation process to avert war or conflict. Should negotiation fail-as in North Korea-or run into stalling tactics-as in Iran-what approach would Graham advocate, more negotiations? He is skeptical of realist interpretations and hostile to the unilateralist (he means Neoconservative, but never mentions it by name) interpretations of policy and strategy in the procurement and strategic importance of WMD. This in itself is not a problem until it is matched with his open hostility toward the current Bush administration. The result is an editorialized review of events past and present and predications for the future.

He creates a caricature of the unilateralist brand of foreign policy. The problem for Graham is that he does not understand Neoconservatism and instead treats it like a one solution ideology. Neoconservatives espouse a broad range of polices when it comes to nuclear strategy and policy. For instance, unilateralism in one area of foreign policy does not necessarily mean unilateralism in all future policy. Unilateralism is an option, but so is co-operation, negotiation and isolation. The unilateralists, as he understands them, are no one and everyone. They are not given name nor identity.

But probably for anyone other than me this issue is of little importance and may actually reinforce one's view of the world. Graham provides a good, if brief, introduction to WMD. I would recommend this book in tandem with others for a broader and more comprehensive understanding of WMD.