In the press

News Roundup

This section is updated frequently by our staff and aims to provide a centralized location for news and publications pertaining to chemical weapons. Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement of the views, author, website, etc. by the Coalition or any of the organizations or individuals in our network.

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7 September 2021

OPCW Director-General meets Coordinator of Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition (OPCW)

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and Coordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Coalition of civil society organisations, Dr Paul Walker, today discussed NGO involvement in mobilising popular support for the international chemical weapons ban.

7 September 2021

All Mustard Agent Projectiles Now Destroyed in Kentucky (PEO ACWA)

The last 155mm projectiles containing mustard agent were destroyed in the Static Detonation Chamber at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) Sept. 4. This marks the third of five chemical weapons destruction campaigns completed at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD).

6 September 2021

Second round of US sanctions against Russia over Navalny becomes effective (Tass)

The US administration introduced new restrictions against Russia on Tuesday, September 7, over its alleged involvement in the incident with blogger Alexey Navalny. According to the US Department of State, Russia had allegedly violated the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (the CBW Act) which became the legal base for the restrictions.

1 September 2021

OPCW Director-General meets Deputy Minister for Legal and Multilateral Affairs of Iraq (OPCW)

The Director-General of the OPCW and the Deputy Minister for Legal and Multilateral Affairs of Iraq met to discuss progress in the implementation of the CWC.  The DG briefed the Deputy Minister on a range of topics including the OPCW’s efforts to counter the threat of use of chemical weapons, and strengthening international cooperation while promoting the peaceful use of chemistry.

1 September 2021

CMAC on track despite pandemic (The Phnom Penh Post)

In the first seven months of this year, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) had cleared a total of 64,562,539 sqm, or about 98.60% of the seven-month plan for 2021. The government plans to have demining completed by 2025. There are many chemicals dropped by the US in the 1970s that remain uncollected.

1 September 2021

Chlorine Cylinders Destroyed by Air Strike in Syria (Arms Control Association)

Two chlorine cylinders relevant to an investigation by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) into Syria’s chemical weapons activities were destroyed June 8 in an alleged missile strike. In a July 9 letter to the OPCW, the Syrian government informed the chemical weapons watchdog of the incident and blamed Israel for the attack.

11 August 2021

DTRA’s Cooperative Threat Reduction Historic Mission in Libya (DVIDS)

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Cooperative Threat Reduction Program (United States) is celebrating 30 years of collaboration with partners to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by highlighting several CTR milestones, including in 2006 when DTRA deployed teams to Libya to build a munitions elimination facility in the Sahara Desert for Libya’s declared chemical weapons.