Cluster Munitions: Background and Issues for Congress
12 December 2011Cluster munitions were developed in World War II and currently form part of several nations' weapon stockpiles.
These munitions have been criticised for causing a number of civilian deaths, but are still viewed as a military necessity by the US Department of Defence (DoD).
This report provides background information on cluster munitions, international attempts to regulate use, current policy on the munitions and DOD efforts to reduce unexploded ordnance rates for its cluster munitions.
The report also raises potential issues for Congress about whether the UN Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is a viable forum for regulating cluster munitions, use of such munitions in an era of precision weapons and weapons in lieu of cluster munitions.
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Cluster Munitions: Background and Issues for Congress
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