What is a defining characteristic of Chemical Warfare?

The defining characteristic of chemical warfare is the intended use of chemical agents to kill or incapacitate personnel. Chemical warfare employs various toxic substances designed specifically to harm individuals in a military conflict, leading to death or incapacitation through their physiological effects. This method of warfare distinguishes itself by targeting the human capacity to function rather than just the destruction of property or equipment, which is typically associated with conventional weapons or non-lethal agents.

The focus on chemical agents aims at maximizing impact on the opponent’s forces, creating a psychological effect, and potentially disrupting enemy operations significantly. Thus, the nature of chemical warfare centers around the lethal and incapacitating consequences that these agents deliver.

In contrast, options that refer to conventional weapons or focus solely on property destruction do not capture the core principle of chemical warfare, which emphasizes the direct impact on personnel. Similarly, involving non-lethal agents shifts the definition away from the lethal intent that is fundamental to chemical weapon use.