What is the definition of a WMD?

A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is defined as a weapon that can kill large numbers of humans, cause significant destruction to infrastructure, and have far-reaching effects on civilian populations. This category includes nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, all of which are capable of inflicting mass casualties and severe harm over wide areas. The impact of such weapons goes beyond immediate death tolls; they create long-term health and environmental consequences.

In contrast, the other definitions provided do not capture the essence of what constitutes a WMD. Weapons designed for small-scale combat focus on tactical military engagements and typically do not possess the large-scale destructive capacity inherent to WMDs. Weapons for environmental protection aim to safeguard natural resources and ecosystems and are not designed to cause harm. Similarly, non-lethal weapons are intended to incapacitate or subdue individuals without resulting in death, which is fundamentally different from the lethality associated with WMDs. Understanding this distinction is crucial for comprehending the nature and implications of different types of weapons used in conflicts.