This book, first published in 1985, examines thinking around chemical weapons from the standpoint of national policy-making in a manner that integrates both defence and arms-control aspects. The process of multilateral negotiations on chemical warfare arms control is not simple, nor are the issues involved and their associated technical questions. Constraints, standards and verification are needed. This book analyses these issues, and the interplay of domestic issues and specific security requirements. This book offers an analytical framework within which a wide spread of different considerations may be located and assessed.