Chapter 4.3: The Role of Open Source Data and Methods in Verifying Compliance with Weapons of Mass Destruction Agreements
The authors’ views in this chapter do not necessarily reflect those of UNIDIR or the UN. The authors would like to thank Eleanor Krabill for comments on an earlier version of this chapter.
Open source tools have the potential to contribute to monitoring and verifying compliance with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) related agreements. However, there are constraints on the extent to which open source data and methods can be effectively applied in these politically sensitive areas. This chapter assesses the different functions and users of open source data in WMD treaty verification, as well as the limits of open source tools. It argues that these tools can be useful in monitoring and verifying treaty compliance and could play an increasingly significant role as part of a ‘new vision’ for arms control and disarmament. However, open source tools cannot supplant existing verification measures and new open source data will bring new challenges to WMD treaty verification.
