Invisible Warfare: The Psychological Impact of Biological Weapons in the Context of International Humanitarian Law

Abstract

This study investigates the historical and modern use of biological weapons as effective psychological warfare tools, delving into the motivations for their use as well as the catastrophic psychological effects they cause. The paper also examines examples such as Japan's use of biological weapons during World War II and the 2001 Anthrax attacks in the United States to highlight the profound psychological consequences of using biological agents in warfare. Despite their classification as weapons of mass destruction, compliance with International Humanitarian Law remains a major concern. Further, the author emphasizes humans' inherent psychological vulnerability to biological weapons threats, revealing how the fear of invisible, contagious, and potentially lethal agents can cause widespread anxiety, paranoia, and social disruption. The study uses the recent COVID-19 pandemic as a case study to highlight the effect that such threats have on an adversary's resolve and morale. It also looks into the past use of fear-mongering to win over the public to unwarranted military actions, like the "shock and awe" attack on Iraq. In summary, the paper advocates for global collaboration and awareness to prevent biological weapons from being used in psychological warfare. It calls attention to the grave dangers such acts pose to global peace and security, as well as their profound and potentially irreversible psychological effects.