a wmd-free zone in the middle east: history, challenges, and possible steps forward

The efforts of the international community to free the middle east from weapons of mass destruction (wmds) date back five decades ago. this process was initiated with iran’s proposal in 1974 and has not yet achieved its goals after almost five decades. the main question in this article is how to achieve a wmd free zone in the form of a regional arms control and disarmament regime in the middle east. the answer is formed in the form of the hypothesis that despite the presence of israel as the only possessor of nuclear weapons in the region and uncertainties about iran’s nuclear program, reaching a wmd-free zone will not be far from reach. using the theoretical framework of international regimes, in this article the possible actions needed to create a wmd free zone will be discussed.