The use of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons is widely considered to be a serious breach of international norms, and constitutes a violation of international law for those states who have signed treaties prohibiting their use. Nevertheless, chemical weapons have been employed repeatedly by the Assad regime in Syria, while the Russian military conducted a chemical weapons attack on British soil in 2018, killing a civilian in Salisbury.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic, though natural in origin, has demonstrated the widespread damage that biological weapons could cause. RUSI – in partnership with the Institute of Royal Engineers and Royal Engineers Historical Society (REHS) – held a virtual conference on 23 September to understand CBRN threats in the contemporary operating environment, and what must be done to address them. 

BANNER IMAGE: Courtesy of Cpl Si Longworth RLC