- It may seem like anything
goes during wartime but the truth is there
are many internationally prohibited weapons that are so powerful, that we should refrain
ourselves from using them. Here are the top 10
weapons deemed so deadly that they're prohibited by
international agreements. Number 1O: blinding laser beams. Sometime in the mid 1990s the US air force had funded research on how
they can destroy eye sight at long distances using
high powered lasers. After all, disrupting the
vision of your enemies could help tip the scales of war. During that time, the
justification to its development was that it's a more
humain weapon than napalm, radiation or bombs. The research continued
until the human rights watch caught out the unnecessary
danger it could bring. Understanding its impact,
the United Nations prohibited the use of laser beams when
it adopted the protocol on blinding laser weapons. While the treaty was created
over two decades ago, its lessons are still felt to this day. It's become the precursor of
preemptive banning of weapons, that could prove to be very concerning for safety and security. For example, the discussion
about lethal autonomous weapons is already leaning towards prohibition, even during its development. Much like how it was with blinding lasers. Number 9: biological weapons. Biological weapons inflict some of the most traumatizing
means of devastation. So much so, that the 1972 Biological
Weapons Convention was made. This was the first
multi-lateral disarmament treaty banning the development, production and stock piling
of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. It took full force on March 26, 1975. Once such weapon, etched
in history was Rinderpest, a deadly cattle plague
which Genghis Khan used to invade Europe in the 13th century. This resulted to a contagious disease that caused dehydration and eventual death of various animals, upsetting natural ecosystems, as well as human food supplies. Perhaps the most troubling is
what the call chimera viruses. This refers to tweaking the
genetic structure of viruses such as anthrax and smallpox
making them even more lethal. Potentially triggering
two diseases at once. For example, the Soviet
Union's chimera project studied the feasibility of
combining smallpox and Ebola into one supervirus
back in the late 1980s. Just think of the horror
such a weapon could bring, and you'd understand why it makes sense to ban these weapons. Number 8: certain bombs. We all know bombs are destructive forces used in warfare, but the following ones are especially devastating, to the point they have to be prohibited. The cluster bomb for example, indiscriminately damages
civilians, combatants and even infrastructure. This type of bomb releases
multiple projectiles on impact, which makes it use extremely devastating. It can also leave behind
unexploded debris, causing further danger. As such, the Convention
on Cluster Munitions, held in May 2008, banned its use. Bringing 108 signatories and
103 parties behind the treaty. Another is a dirty bomb, which is somewhat like
a weak or nuclear bomb, except it uses conventional explosives to spread dangerous radioactive
material over a wide area. Rather than a normal fission reaction, this can cause alteration to DNA, resulting in cancer, mutations
and radiation sickness. Furthermore, it leaves a
desolate wasteland in its wake, so there's that problem. Of course, nuclear weapons
are the most popular for obvious reasons. The Tsar Bomba is probably
the most fearsome, described to cause similar damage to simultaneously detonating
3,800 Hiroshima bombs. It's dangers are well acknowledged that the treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was created in July 2017, which now has 57 states
that participate in it. Of course, that still means
there are many nations out there who still hold these weapons. Number 7: expanding bullets. Sustaining gunshot wounds can be deadly, but you know what's worse? Getting hit by an expanding bullet. Expanding ordnances also given the moniker of hollow point bullets or
dum-dums are designed to mushroom upon entering a target in order to stop the projective
from leaving the body. Unlike regular bullets that
just penetrate a targeted area, expanding bullets cause
maximum tissue damage as they spread out upon impact. This type of bullet was
formerly used by US policemen to mitigate collateral damage, but was discontinued after understanding how lethal it could be. If that's not enough, some are coated with poison which could lead to secondary infections if the expanding ordnance
fail to go for the kill. Some even contain anthrax
spores or botulinum toxin which is rather scary in
conjunction with the gunshot wound because of the imposing threat. This kind of bullet was banned under the Hague Convention of 1899. Even conservation, hunting
and veterinary groups have filed a formal petition with the Environmental Protection Agency to ban the addition of poison to bullets, as it can severely backfire on humans when we consume hunted animals. Number 6: punji sticks. During the Vietnam war, a small and poorly
equipped guerrilla group, noticed the Viet Cong
was at a disadvantage as they faced American forces that had more advanced weaponry, but they were able to turn things around with a little bit of ingenuity
using bamboos and hardwood, which were later dubbed punji sticks. Punji sticks are
sharpened pieces of bamboo that are hardened by fire and boast lethal sharp points to make them even more fearsome. They're sometimes coated with poison, making it a simple yet
effective defensive strategy at the time. These sticks were enough to strike fear into the hearts of
unsuspecting foot soldiers who dared to venture
into the lush jungles, especially since they were
hidden almost everywhere as booby traps. This weapon's notorious
reputation gave it a spot in the 1980 Geneva Convention
where this type of weaponry was banned. Punji sticks were deemed
to be excessively deadly and it was agreed that they
have indiscriminate effects, brought about by their poison coating. To date, there are 50
signatories and 125 parties that stand behind the treaty. Number 5: incendiary weapons. Incendiary weapons set fire
to everything in their path. Indiscriminately affecting both combatants and innocent civilians. Aside from this painful damage to people that's difficult to treat, they can also destroy
infrastructure as well. Their danger is acknowledged worldwide. So much that over 110 nations participated in the 1980 convention
on incendiary weapons. Unfortunately, despite this
agreement being in place, the use of such horrible
weaponry is still evident today. The Human Rights Watch accused Russian and Syrian warplanes of using incendiary bombs and dropping them on
civilian areas in Syria back in June 2016. Numerous pieces of video evidence exists along with witness testimonies and physical reminants of the bombs, proving this banned weapon
has indeed been used. It's not just Russia and Syria. The United States is also guilty, as it admitted to using white
phosphorous in Fallujah. This material ignites when
it's exposed to oxygen and victims have described the sensation as feeling like having their skin melted. Number 4: non-detectable fragments. As the term implies, this type of weapon cannot be seen by normal diagnostic procedures. The most common examples
include, minimal metal mines. Mines constructed of mostly
plastic, wood or glass, so that they can't be detected by conventional metal mine detectors. This makes them very troublesome. Consequently, they're
prohibited from use as per Protocol 1 of the 1979 Convention
of Conventional Weapons. The most pressing reason they're banned is because they make
it incredibly difficult to treat victims of these weapons, because non-metal fragments
are so difficult to find, surgeons have a challenging time trying to locate every piece. This leads to unnecessary
suffering for the victim since there's a huge chance some pieces are still left unaddressed. They're lack of metal also means the mines are
extremely difficult to detect with metal detectors once a
conflict has been resolved. Hence, they'll potentially
cause unnecessary harm to civilians in the future. The use of land mines, especially those with
non-detectable fragments, is so bothersome that over
80% of the world's countries are signatories to a treaty banning it. While there are a few countries
who aren't part of it, they don't use or produce weapons with non-detectable fragments. Number 3: twisting blade. Any knife can cause mortal
damage to anyone it stabs, but nothing could compare to the damage inflicted by a knife, like the Jagdkommando Integral
Tri-Dagger Fixed Blade. It's defining features is its three edges that twist from tip to the body, so it's hard not to notice it. While other knives have multiple
uses like cutting cords, preparing food and many more, this twisting blade apparently
has only one sole purpose, to kill. They say that if you wish to kill someone with a normal blade, you
need to twist the knife after you've stabbed the poor victim. The twisting blade saves
you that extra step, making it the ultimate
close range killing weapon that leaves nasty wounds
which prove difficult or impossible to stitch up. That description in itself, is enough for it to be covered in the Protocol 1 of
the Geneva Convention. It says: it is prohibited to
employ weapons, projectiles, material and methods
of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury
or unnecessary suffering. Excessive injury: check. Extreme suffering: another big check. Number 2: brass knuckles. If you've seen the film Constantine or the TV show Sopranos, you may have already seen brass knuckles in several fight scenes. Despite how they're
being glamorized though, they're actually
prohibited in some states. States like California,
Michigan, Illinois, Vermont and South Carolina have banned
the use of brass knuckles and for good reason. While they aren't as deadly as most of the items discussed in this list, they can deliver serious injuries. From gnarly cuts to permanent eye damage and broken bones. Contrary to what its name implies, this hand-held weapon can
also be made of acrylic steal or hardened plastic. Yet despite being widely prohibited, some individuals are
able to have one provided they acquire necessary permits. Bouncers and bodyguards
are usually authorized to legally carry and use
them when the job requires. Just another reason not
to mess with a bouncer. Number 1: chemical weapons. There are various chemical
weapons in existence, such as a tear gas used for riot control. Mustard gas, which became
popular in World War I and sarin a toxic nerve agent, but they can't hold a candle to some of the deadliest ever made. VX is considered the
deadliest of the bunch and is 10 times more
potent than sarin in terms of lethal capabilities. Upon contact it disrupts
the body's signaling between the nervous and muscular systems, leaving dissymptoms such
as confusion, convulsions, loss of consciousness,
paralysis, respiratory failure and eventually death. This lead to the creation of the Chemical Weapons
Convention of 1993, detailing that the production
and stockpiling of VX is strictly outlawed. Yet it has still been used. In 2017, Kim Jong-Un's half brother was assassinated with this chemical at Kuala Lumpur International
Airport in Malaysia. Novichok is another nerve
agents which is reportedly four times stronger than VX and
almost impossible to detect. This was developed by the Soviet Union during the heat of the Cold War and up to now not much is known about its secretive chemicals. Sadly, it's still being used, as it was utilized in poisoning attacks in Salisbury England
in March of this year. What do you think most
deserves being outlawed? Is there any weapon out there that you think should make it to the list? Let me know in the comment
section down below. Thanks for watching. (tinny music)
It's hilarious how much that video got wrong about weapons, but then they slid that dirty bomb art in there.
"it leaves a desolate wasteland in its wake..."
XD I saw this a while ago and was like... lol did that just happen?
Someone finally noticed XD
edit: It feels like a mini "oof" now though :(
Well, at least they still allow dihydrogen monoxide.
Man this game is stalking me everywhere