This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.

Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

14 April 1972
The Syrian Arab Republic signs the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BWC).
--Status of Multilateral Arms Regulation and Disarmament Agreements, http://disarmament2.un.org/TreatyStatus.nsf.

February 1974
In testimony before the House Armed Service Committee, U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Creighton Abrams notes, "the sophistication, completeness, and extensiveness" of chemical, biological, and radiological defenses found on Soviet-supplied equipment captured from Syrian forces during the Arab-Israeli war of October 1973.
--John W. Finney, "Abrams Cites Intelligence Gained from Soviet Arms in Mideast," New York Times, 15 February 1974, p. 4.

March 1991
Director of U.S. Naval Intelligence, Rear-Admiral Thomas Brooks testifies that Syria currently has developed an offensive BW capability.
--Statement of Rear Admiral Thomas A. Brooks, USN, Director of Naval Intelligence, before the Seapower, Strategic, and Critical Materials Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, on Intelligence Issues, 7 March 1991, pp. 56-59.

January 1992
In the U.S. Senate, Director of Central Intelligence Robert Gates testifies on proliferation questions and mentions the existence of a biological weapons program in Syria. He also states that Syria "apparently is seeking assistance from China and Western firms for an improved capability with biological warheads."
--Robert Gates, Prepared Testimony, Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, 15 and 22 January 1992.

September 1992
U.S. officials state that they have identified a facility in the Syrian town of Cerin dedicated to the production of biological agents.
--"Investigation: Syrian CW programs," Middle East Defense News (Paris), 28 September 1992, pp. 5-6.

19 January 1993
In the United States, a report prepared by the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency claims that based on evidence to date, it is highly probable that Syria is developing an offensive biological warfare capability.
--Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control Agreements, (Washington DC: Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 1993).

April 1993
Syria is described as possessing an offensive biological warfare capability. Syria is also reported to be seeking assistance from Chinese and Western companies in the development of biological warheads.
--Michael Eisenstadt, "Syria's Strategic Weapons," Jane's Intelligence Review 5 (April 1993), p. 168, http://www.janes.com.

14 June 1993
U.S. Defense Secretary Les Aspin, in a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, speaking of the growing challenge faced by Israel from ballistic missiles with nuclear or CBW warheads notes that Syria has biological weapons and is seeking long range missiles.
--"Israel safer today than at any time, but new threats loom - Aspin," Defense Daily, 16 June 1993, p. 434.

April 1994
Concern is expressed that North Korea may be assisting Syria in the development of biological weapons and warheads.
--"Chemical and Biological Warfare Programme Special Report," Jane's Intelligence Review 6 (April 1994), p. 192, http://www.janes.com.

June 1994
In the U.S. Congress, a study of potential military countermeasures against nuclear and CBW weapons proliferation is published by the Congressional Research Service. It includes Syria in a list of seven states that probably possess biological weapons.
--John M. Collins, Zachary S. Davis, and Steven R. Bowman, Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapon Proliferation: Potential Military Countermeasures: Congressional Research Service Report for Congress No. 94-528 S, (Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1994).

22 August 1994
In Germany, Der Spiegel, purportedly quoting from a confidential Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) report of May 1994, states that Syria is on the point of establishing a native capacity for the production of biological weapons.
--"Death and terror from the laboratory," Der Spiegel (Hamburg), 22 August 1994, pp. 22-25, as translated from the German in JPRS-TND-94-017, 8 September 1994, pp. 39-42.

August 1996
The U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Annual Report states that "it is highly probable that Syria is developing an offensive biological warfare capability."
--Barbara Starr, "Egypt and Syria are BW Capable, Says Agency," Jane's Defence Weekly, 21 August 1996, p. 15, <http://www.janes.com>.

December 1996
U.S. and Israeli officials engage in a series of meetings to discuss Syrian WMD. Israeli officials indicate that a major focus of discussion will be "a newly acquired capability by Syria to produce...biological warheads and place them on Scud surface-to-surface missiles." The officials also state that Syria has received the help of Russian scientists in its biological weapons program which is alleged to include the manufacture of anthrax.
--Steve Rodan, "Syria's Chemical Arms to Head Agenda at US-Israel Talks," Jerusalem Post, 2 December 1996, p. 2.

December 1996
U.S. intelligence sources express concerns that Chinese equipment may be involved in what they think is an underground chemical/biological weapons factory outside of Damascus. The concerns are linked to documents seized from two German nationals arrested in Germany and charged with illegal equipment sales.
--M. Yost, "China's Deadly Trade in the MidEast," Wall Street Journal, 4 December 1996, pp. 1, 18.

August 1997
The U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency 1996 compliance report states that "it is highly probable that Syria is developing an offensive biological warfare capability."
--Threat Control Through Arms Control: Annual Report to Congress 1996, (Washington, DC: US Government Printers Office, 1997).

August 1998
The U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency 1997 compliance report states that "it is highly probable that Syria is developing an offensive biological warfare capability."
--Threat Control Through Arms Control: Annual Report to Congress 1997, (Washington, DC: US Government Printers Office, 1998).

	Updated March 2008