SuperTerrorism: Coping With Weapons of Mass Destruction

• NCJ Number: 178288
• Journal: Crime & Justice International Volume: 14 Issue: 22 Dated: November 1998 Pages: 17-37
• Author(s): Timothy Stone
• Date Published: November 1998
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the potential use of these weapons by terrorist and extremist groups represent a significant threat.

Abstract

Superterrorism refers to the use of a nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological weapon in a terrorist attack. Contrary to the past view that there was little risk terrorist groups would use weapons of mass destruction, contemporary terrorist groups are far more brutal and go to greater extremes to achieve their goals. Nuclear terrorism is regarded as the single greatest weapon of mass destruction. Despite the increased proliferation of nuclear weapons, the potential for terrorist groups to use these weapons is small. Terrorist use of radiological agents is becoming more likely because the type of radioactive material used for an attack is not limited to merely a weapons-grade form of uranium. Instead, any type of radioactive material can be used to carry out an attack, including nuclear waste and materials used in certain types of medical equipment. Of the weapons of mass destruction, biological agents are potentially the most devastating. The three main categories of biological agents are bacterial, viral, and toxin. Although considered to be the least devastating of all weapons of mass destruction, chemical weapons are the easiest and most inexpensive for the terrorist to make. Chemical agents are categorized according to the effects they produce--nerve, blister, choking, blood, and vomiting. The United States realizes terrorists may use weapons of mass destruction and has passed the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996. The Department of Defense has a Domestic Preparedness Program to train first responders to attacks involving weapons of mass destruction, and a list of cities who have completed or will complete the training program is included. 1 table and 1 photograph