The Fading Pipeline: Preparing the Next Generation of Weapons Inspectors

Jennie Gromoll

doi:10.1017/aju.2021.3

Abstract

Over the past four decades, the most prolific time in recent memory for the negotiation and implementation of arms control treaties, a cadre of expertise was developed that enabled weapons inspections. Yet the pipeline for educating and developing rising generations to perform such inspections is now running dry, particularly outside of the United States and Europe. In this essay, I argue that we must invigorate efforts to develop and maintain that pipeline. I identify historical sources of expertise in the field of arms control and describe the obstacles that we face in maintaining them. I conclude by offering potential solutions to this problem, arguing that it is time to revitalize platforms for supporting cross-domain, cross-regional, and multi-generational nonproliferation experience and learning opportunities.

Highlights

Over the past four decades, the most prolific time in recent memory for the negotiation and implementation of arms control treaties, a cadre of expertise was developed that enabled weapons inspections
I served as an Arms Control and Disarmament Agency representative to the Conference on Disarmament (CD) during negotiations on the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), with weapons inspection teams related to Soviet biological weapons and Libyan dismantlement of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and as part of the interagency policy group overseeing U.S actions related to the UN Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM)
I was an UNSCOM inspector tasked with learning how this UN Security Council-mandated inspection regime worked as it uncovered WMD and kept senior political leadership informed.[1]

Summary

Jennie Gromoll*

Over the past four decades, the most prolific time in recent memory for the negotiation and implementation of arms control treaties, a cadre of expertise was developed that enabled weapons inspections. I argue that we must invigorate efforts to develop and maintain that pipeline. I identify historical sources of expertise in the field of arms control and describe the obstacles that we face in maintaining them. I conclude by offering potential solutions to this problem, arguing that it is time to revitalize platforms for supporting cross-domain, cross-regional, and multi-generational nonproliferation experience and learning opportunities. In making this argument, I draw upon my professional experience in the field. I witnessed the important role that diverse experiences and professional backgrounds—from social science to military, physical science, and information technology—can play in efforts to prevent and eliminate WMD programs

The Pipeline of the Past

The Pipeline Needs Repair

The Timing is Right

Conclusion