US Cracks Down on Laser, Chemical Exports Used in Weapons Manufacture

The US Department of Commerce has expanded its crackdown on exports beyond nuclear weapons technology to encompass materials for making chemical weapons, including uranium and lasers. Undersecretary William Reinsch said the department has begun focusing on private firms, universities and other foreign entities engaged in military research that could fall into the wrong hands in countries such as China, Iran, Libya and Russia. Reinsch's comments came as the Central Intelligence Agency issued a report that identifies China as the world's leading source of technology for mass destruction.