The events of September 11th, 2001 altered the course of arms control intended to eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and made the role of international disarmament organizations controversial. Whether they can effectively verify compliance with the WMD treaty regime has been questioned by the United States. The study examines this by looking at the management of the three existing verification organizations--the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons--and draws conclusions for a future institution on biological weapons. It presents the IAEA verification system for nuclear weapons as a model for evaluating the systems for chemical and biological weapons. The importance of the IAEA's role has been recognized by the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

"This is a timely study and one that has emerged from the combination of an extensive examination of literature and a rich practical experience of how the issue of international verification of the elimination of weapons of mass destruction has been handled in the relevant international organizations and the Security Council. It contains a wealth of information and constructive ideas."- Hans Blix, Former Executive Chairman of The United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, Director-General Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency, from the Foreword

"This is a very useful contribution to the field of WMD non-proliferation and I am confident that it will be read with great interest by both students and practitioners."- Mohammed ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency