When Treaties Work: The Chemical Weapons Convention

The inside story of a wildly successful treaty

The CWC is the most widely adopted arms control treaty

A happy New Year to you all!

Alas, I fear 2025 is poised to be a year of profound upheaval in international relations. Trump 2.0 may usher a new era of geopolitics in which the United States will pursue a foreign policy premised on a narrow and short-sighted interpretation of national interest, and in the process alienate traditional allies and potentially break from many of its historic multilateral commitments.

As we enter this new era, the very idea of international cooperation to solve global problems may come under attack. But it is a principle worth defending.

The Power of Internationalism

At its core, “internationalism” is the belief that the world can become a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable place when countries work together. It acknowledges that certain global problems—like pandemics, extreme poverty, climate change, and the threat of war—can only be addressed through collective action.

Having spent twenty year…