Iran and Iraq appear to be in an arms race to develop biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Iraq has a small stock of VX nerve gas, a workable nuclear bomb design (but no fissionable material), and 157 bombs (plus 25 missile warheads) filled with anthrax and other biowar agents. Iraq is apparently experimenting with wheat smut as a weapon to destroy enemy crops. Iran's programs are not as well known but thought to be well advanced. Any conflict between the two countries could become very ugly very quickly, and this has the entire Gulf region worried.--Stephen V Cole