At this point, however, that position is predicated on Germany being denuclearized and on NATO's renouncing any first-use of nuclear weapons -- conditions that would have the effect of jeopardizing NATO's deterrent capability and eliminating the U.S. force presence in Central Europe.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Introduction

The knock-on effect was that Libya stopped its nuclear-weapons programme.

ECONOMIST: A good estimate?

If, as seems likely, the CWC has the effect of vitiating the Australia Group mechanism, CW-relevant exports may be permitted even to dubious customers -- but it will be hard to contend that the effect on curbing proliferation of chemical weapons will be a positive one.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Although a member of the UN observer mission reckons that loyalist forces include at least two combat brigades that have been held in reserve, apart from fixed-wing bombers and chemical weapons, activists report that much of the Sunni rank and file is in effect idle.

ECONOMIST: Syria after the big bomb