Weapon of mass destruction

Claims and counterclaims have followed another alleged chemical attack in Syria. The United Nations wants Syria to give its weapons inspectors access to the site of the incident outside of Damascus.

A potato gun is a WMD. At least, the strict, plain-English definition of a weapon of mass destruction would include the old-fashioned potato gun. Through changes over the years, the definition of a WMD has been broadened — and now prosecutors have all the power when it comes to charging people.

At least three countries are convinced the regime of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has used chemical weapons in his country’s ongoing civil war. On Thursday, U.S. officials confirmed they too believed Assad had unleashed sarin gas. But its options are limited.

For a look at what the president needs to say and do to convince the world that he means business, we turn to two men who are experts in the realms of diplomacy, foreign policy and nuclear proliferation.

Hans Blix, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) joins The Takeaway to discuss North Korea and the new era of nuclear politics.