66. A bibliometric analysis of the research on ‘Depleted Uranium Munitions’: from health and environment to international security

Eslami, M., & Fernandes, S. (2025). A bibliometric analysis of the research on ‘Depleted Uranium Munitions’: from health and environment to international security. In Frontiers in Political Science (Vol. 7). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1573738This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of research on Depleted Uranium (DU) munitions from 1983 to 2024, aiming to map the evolution of this multidisciplinary field. Based on 129 publications indexed in Scopus and analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer, the study identifies major trends, research networks, and disciplinary focuses. Most publications are peer-reviewed scientific articles, with Environmental Science (67 papers) and Medical Science (53) leading the field. Research themes center on health and exposure risks—particularly cancer, radiation, and environmental contamination—often in the context of war (e.g., Gulf and Balkan conflicts). Findings reveal significant debate: while some studies link DU exposure to severe health effects, others argue risks are overstated. The United States and the United Kingdom dominate research output. Importantly, there is a striking lack of studies in International Relations and Security Studies. The paper calls for broader interdisciplinary research to assess DU’s humanitarian and geopolitical implications.