Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Government Accountability Office
General Accounting Office
Special Weapons Reports
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Missile

GAO WMD Reports - Subcategories

Missiles
Cooperative Threat Reduction
Non-Proliferation
Export Controls
Chemical and Biological Weapons
Department of Energy

Non-Proliferation

• Nuclear Nonproliferation: The Administration's 2018 Plan for Verification and Monitoring Met Most Reporting Requirements but Did Not Include Future Costs and Funding Needs, GAO-18-617, September 14, 2018
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: The Administration's 2015 Plan and 2017 Update for Nuclear Proliferation Verification and Monitoring Generally Did Not Address Reporting Requirements, GAO-18-505R, June 18, 2018
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: NNSA Needs to Improve Its Program Management Policy and Practices, GAO-17-773, September 28, 2017
• Iran Sanctions: U.S. Agencies Continue to Implement Processes for Identifying Potentially Sanctionable Entities, GAO-17-779R, September 28, 2017
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Better Information Needed on Results of National Nuclear Security Administration's Research and Technology Development Projects, GAO-17-210, February 3, 2017
• Iran Nuclear Agreement: The International Atomic Energy Agency's Authorities, Resources, and Challenges, GAO-16-565, June 9, 2016
• Iranian Commercial Activities: Update on Foreign Firms Reported to Have Engaged in Iran's Energy or Communications Sectors, GAO-16-247R, January 13, 2016
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: NNSA's Threat Assessment Process Could Be Improved, GAO-16-118, October 30, 2015
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE Made Progress to Secure Vulnerable Nuclear Materials Worldwide, but Opportunities Exist to Improve Its Efforts, GAO-15-799, September 23, 2015
• Nonproliferation: State Needs to Establish a Reporting Process That Would Minimize the Delays That May Affect Sanctions on Trade with Iran, North Korea, and Syria, by Thomas Melito, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, GAO-15-703T, June 17, 2015
• Nonproliferation: State Should Minimize Reporting Delays That May Affect Sanctions on Trade with Iran, North Korea, and Syria, GAO-15-519, May 22, 2015
• North Korea Sanctions: United States Has Increased Flexibility to Impose Sanctions, but United Nations Is Impeded by a Lack of Member State Reports, GAO-15-485, May 13, 2015
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: IAEA Has Made Progress in Implementing Critical Programs but Continues to Face Challenges, GAO-13-139, May 16, 2013
• Iran: U.S. and International Sanctions Have Adversely Affected the Iranian Economy, GAO-13-326, February 25, 2013
• Firms Reported to Have Engaged in Activities Related to Iran's Energy and Communications Sectors While Having Had U.S. Government Contracts, GAO-13-344R, February 25, 2013
• Firms Reported to Have Sold Iran Refined Petroleum Products or Engaged in Commercial Activities in Iran's Energy Sector, GAO-13-173R, December 7, 2012
• Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund: State Should Better Assure the Effective Use of Program Authorities, GAO-13-83, November 30, 2012
• Proliferation Security Initiative: Agencies Have Adopted Policies and Procedures but Steps Needed to Meet Reporting Requirement and to Measure Results, GAO-12-441, March 27, 2012
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Further Actions Needed by U.S. Agencies to Secure Vulnerable Nuclear and Radiological Materials, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs, GAO-12-512T, March 14, 2012
• Actions to Enforce the Iran Sanctions Act and Implement Contractor Certification Requirement, GAO-12-316R, January 24, 2012 (companion report to GAO-12-321R)
• Firms Reported in Open Sources to Have Sold Iran Refined Petroleum Products Declined Since June 30, 2010, GAO-12-321R, January 24, 2012
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Action Needed to Address NNSA's Program Management and Coordination Challenges, GAO-12-71, December 14, 2011
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: U.S. Agencies Have Limited Ability to Account for, Monitor, and Evaluate the Security of U.S. Nuclear Material Overseas. GAO-11-920, September 8, 2011
• Pakistan Assistance: Relatively Little of the $3 Billion in Requested Assistance Is Subject to State's Certification of Pakistan's Progress on Nonproliferation and Counterterrorism Issues, GAO-11-786R, Jul 19, 2011
• The U.S. Government Is Establishing Procedures for a Procurement Ban against Firms that Sell Iran Technology to Disrupt Communications but Has Not Identified Any Firms, GAO-11-706R, Jun 30, 2011
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: More Progress Needed in Implementing Recommendations for IAEA's Technical Cooperation Program, GAO-11-482T, Mar 17, 2011
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Comprehensive U.S. Planning and Better Foreign Cooperation Needed to Secure Vulnerable Nuclear Materials Worldwide, GAO-11-227, Dec 15, 2010
• Firms Reported in Open Sources to Have Sold Iran Refined Petroleum Products between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, GAO-10-967R, Sep 3, 2010
• Iran Sanctions: New Act Underscores Importance of Comprehensive Assessment of Sanctions' Effectiveness, GAO-10-928T, Jul 29, 2010
• Humanitarian Assistance: Status of North Korean Refugee Resettlement and Asylum in the United States, GAO-10-691, Jun 24, 2010
• Iran Sanctions: Firms Reported to Have Commercial Activity in the Iranian Energy Sector and U.S. Government Contracts, GAO-10-721T, May 12, 2010
• Weapons of Mass Destruction: Actions Needed to Track Budget Execution for Counterproliferation Programs and Better Align Resources with Combating WMD Strategy, GAO-10-755R, Sep 28, 2010
• Firms Reported in Open Sources as Having Commercial Activity in Iran's Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Sectors, GAO-10-515R, Mar 23, 2010
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE Needs to Address Uncertainties with and Strengthen Independent Safety Oversight of Its Plutonium Disposition Program, GAO-10-378, Mar 26, 2010
• Iran Sanctions: Complete and Timely Licensing Data Needed to Strengthen Enforcement of Export Restrictions, GAO-10-375, Mar 4, 2010
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: National Nuclear Security Administration Has Improved the Security of Reactors in its Global Research Reactor Program, but Action Is Needed to Address Remaining Concerns, GAO-09-949, Sep 17, 2009
• State Department: Key Transformation Practices Could Have Helped in Restructuring Arms Control and Nonproliferation Bureaus, GAO-09-738, Jul 15, 2009
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Strengthened Oversight Needed to Address Proliferation and Management Challenges in IAEA's Technical Cooperation Program, GAO-09-275, Mar 5, 2009
• Nonproliferation: U.S. Agencies Have Taken Some Steps, but More Effort Is Needed to Strengthen and Expand the Proliferation Security Initiative, GAO-09-43, Nov 10, 2008
• Iran Sanctions: Impact in Furthering U.S. Objectives Is Unclear and Should Be Reviewed GAO-08-58 December 18, 2007
• Combating Nuclear Terrorism: Federal Efforts to Respond to Nuclear and Radiological Threats and to Protect Key Emergency Response Facilities Could Be Strengthened GAO-08-285T November 15, 2007
• Nonproliferation: U.S. Efforts to Combat Nuclear Networks Need Better Data on Proliferation Risks and Program Results GAO-08-21 October 31, 2007
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Additional Actions Needed to Ensure Adequate Testing of Next Generation Radiation Detection Equipment GAO-07-1247T September 18, 2007
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS's Decision to Procure and Deploy the Next Generation of Radiation Detection Equipment Is Not Supported by Its Cost-Benefit Analysis GAO-07-581T, March 14, 2007
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Focusing on the Highest Priority Radiological Sources Could Improve DOE's efforts to Secure Sources in Foreign Countries GAO-07-580T, March 13, 2007
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DNDO Has Not Yet Collected Most of the National Laboratories' Test Results on Radiation Portal Monitors in Support of DNDO's Testing and Development Program GAO-07-347R, March 9, 2007
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Progress Made in Improving Security at Russian Nuclear Sites, but the Long-term Sustainability of U.S.-Funded Security Upgrades Is Uncertain GAO-07-404, February 28, 2007
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DHS's Cost-Benefit Analysis to Support the Purchase of New Radiation Detection Portal Monitors Was Not Based on Available Performance Data and Did Not Fully Evaluate All the Monitors' Costs and Benefits GAO-07-133R, October 17, 2006
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: IAEA Safeguards and Other Measures to Halt the Spread of Nuclear Weapons and Material GAO-06-1128T, September 26, 2006
• Combating Nuclear Terrorism: Federal Efforts to Respond to Nuclear and Radiological Threats and to Protect Emergency Response Capabilities Could Be Strengthened GAO-06-1015, September 21, 2006
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Challenges Facing U.S. Efforts to Deploy Radiation Detection Equipment in Other Countries and in the United States, GAO-06-558T, March 28, 2006
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Corruption, Maintenance, and Coordination Problems Challenge U.S. Efforts to Provide Radiation Detection Equipment to Other Countries, GAO-06-311, March 14, 2006 [PDF 6.0MB]
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Better Management Controls Needed for Some DOE Projects in Russia and Other Countries. GAO-05-828, August 29, 2005.
• Securing U.S. Nuclear Materials: DOE Needs to Take Action to Safely Consolidate Plutonium. GAO-05-665, July 20 2005. [PDF 2.0MB]
• Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Efforts to Deploy Radiation Detection Equipment in the United States and in Other Countries, by Gene Aloise, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-05-840T, June 21, 2005.
• Preventing Nuclear Smuggling: DOE Has Made Limited Progress in Installing Radiation Detection Equipment at Highest Priority Foreign Seaports. GAO-05-375, March 31, 2005. [PDF 2.5MB]
• Weapons of Mass Destruction: Nonproliferation Programs Need Better Integration. GAO-05-157, January 28, 2005.
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE Needs to Take Action to Further Reduce the Use of Weapons-Usable Uranium in Civilian Research Reactors. GAO-04-807, July 30, 2004.
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE's Effort to Close Russia's Plutonium Production Reactors Faces Challenges, and Final Shutdown Is Uncertain. GAO-04-662, June 4, 2004. [PDF 2.7MB]
• Nonproliferation: Improvements Needed for Controls on Exports of Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology, by Joseph A. Christoff, director, international affairs and trade, before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, House Committee on Government Reform. (GAO-04-493T), March 9, 2004 [PDF 1.24 MB]
• NONPROLIFERATION Delays in Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention Raise Concerns About Proliferation (GAO-04-361), March 2004 [PDF 2.8 Mb]
• Nonproliferation: Improvements Needed to Better Control Technology Exports for Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. (GAO-04-175), January 23, 2004 [PDF 7.46 MB]

• Nuclear Nonproliferation: U.S. and International Efforts to Control Sealed Radioactive Sources Need Strengthening, May 16, 2003 ( GAO-03-638) [PDF 6.16 Mb]
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE Action Needed to Ensure Continued Recovery of Unwanted Sealed Radioactive Sources, April 15, 2003 (GAO-03-483) [PDF 1.94 Mb]

• NONPROLIFERATION: Strategy Needed to Strengthen Multilateral Export Control Regimes, October 2002, (GAO-03-43) [PDF 2.17 Mb]
• NONPROLIFERATION R&D: NNSA's Program Develops Successful Technologies, but Project Management Can Be Strengthened, August 2002, (GAO-02-904) [PDF 349 Kb]
• NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION: U.S. Efforts to Combat Nuclear Smuggling -- Statement of Ms. Gary L. Jones, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, July 30, 2002, (GAO-02-989T) [PDF 87 Kb]
• WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: U.N. Confronts Significant Challenges in Implementing Sanctions against Iraq, May 2002, (GAO-02-625) [PDF 10.76Mb]
• NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION: U.S. Efforts to Help Other Countries Combat Nuclear Smuggling Need Strengthened Coordination and Planning, May 2002, (GAO-02-426) [PDF 4.75 Mb]

• Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE's Efforts to Secure Nuclear Material and Employ Weapons Scientists in Russia -- Statement of Ms. Gary L. Jones Director, Natural Resources and Environment, (15-MAY-01, GAO-01-726T). [PDF 112 Kb]
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE's Efforts to Assist Weapons Scientists in Russia's Nuclear Cities Face Challenges, (03-MAY-01, GAO-01-429). [PDF 3.72 Mb]
• NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION: Security of Russia's Nuclear Material Improving; Further Enhancements Needed, February 2001 (GAO-01-312) [PDF 3.6 Mb]

• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Implications of the U.S. Purchase of Russian Highly Enriched Uranium, (Letter Report, 12/15/2000, GAO/GAO-01-148). [PDF 815 Kb]
• Foreign Assistance: U.S. Bilateral Food Assistance to North Korea Had Mixed Results [NSIAD-00-175] 06/15/2000. [PDF Version]

• Foreign Assistance: North Korean Constraints Limit Food Aid Monitoring (Testimony, 10/27/1999, GAO/T-NSIAD-00-47).
• Foreign Assistance: North Korea Restricts Food Aid Monitoring (Letter Report, 10/08/1999, GAO/NSIAD-00-35). [PDF Version]

• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Difficulties in Accomplishing IAEA's Activities in North Korea GAO/RCED-98-210, July 7. [PDF Version]
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Uncertainties With Implementing IAEA's Strengthened Safeguards System. NSIAD/RCED-98-184. 29 pp. plus 6 appendices (11 pp.) July 9, 1998. [PDF Version]

• Nuclear Nonproliferation and Safety: Concerns With the International Atomic Energy Agency's Technical Cooperation Program [PDF Format] RCED-97-192. 27 pp. plus 6 appendices (17 pp.) September 16, 1997.
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Implementation of the U.S./North Korean Agreed Framework on Nuclear Issues GAO/RCED/NSIAD-97-165, June 2, 1997. [PDF Version]
• Hong Kong's Reversion to China: Effective Monitoring Critical to Assess U.S. Nonproliferation Risks (Letter Report, 05/22/97, GAO/NSIAD-97-149). [PDF Version]

• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Implications of the U.S./North Korean Agreement on Nuclear Issues (Letter Report, 10/01/96, GAO/RCED/NSIAD-97-8). [PDF Version]

• Nuclear Nonproliferation: U.S. International Nuclear Materials Tracking Capabilities Are Limited, (Letter Report, GAO/RCED/AIMD-95-5, 12/27/94). [PDF Version]
• Nuclear Nonproliferation: Export Licensing Procedures for Dual-Use Items Need to Be Strengthened (Chapter Report, GAO/NSIAD-94-119, 04/26/94). [PDF Version 4.74 Mb]