Graduate Level Article Review and Journal

MHS 5201, Weapons of Mass Destruction 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit I Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate the evolution of terrorism from the Cold War Era through today. 1.1 Identify the seminal events that shaped domestic terrorism legislation both before and after the

terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 1.2 Evaluate the key factors leading to the growing danger of chemical and biological terrorism.

2. Relate modern-day terrorism to complex terrorism and social networks.

2.1 Define terrorism and the concept of new terrorism.

6. Consider the political, philosophical, and religious perspectives of the various actors in the war on terror. 6.1 Explain the opportunities and limitations for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) terrorism

globally.

Course/Unit Learning Outcomes

Learning Activity

1.1 Chapter 1.1, Article Review

1.2 Chapter 1.2, Article Review

2.1 Article Review

6.1 Article Review

Reading Assignment Unit I: Introduction, pp. 1-4 Chapter 1.1: Definitions, Trends, and the Concept of “New Terrorism”, pp. 5-37 Chapter 1.2: The Nature of the Post-09/11 WMD Terrorism Threat, pp. 38-70, 73-83

Unit Lesson One of the most acute threats to the United States is a terrorist attack using weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Nonstate facilitators have emerged as a growing WMD proliferation threat in recent years. There are large quantities of these weapons spread throughout the world in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the increased risks of terrorism have been brought to other nations due to the unknown whereabouts regarding chemical, biological, and radiological weaponry. Terrorist groups throughout the world have been attempting to acquire WMD in an effort to cause loss of life, chaos, and disrupt governments in the free world. Terrorist attacks have become more frequent and are likely to continue due to the funding provided by other communist or terror-related groups. The rise of new terrorism occurred with the death of Osama Bin Laden and the increase of smaller cells with acquired weapons, monies, and travel ability. The new form of terrorism is transnational, has very limited borders, and appears to be more violent than older forms of terrorism under Osama Bin Laden.

UNIT I STUDY GUIDE

Conceptual Frameworks

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In 2003, the United States and its international partners succeeded in interdicting a shipment of WMD- related material destined for Libya’s nuclear program. As facts emerged regarding this shipment and its origin, the U.S. government gained insight into an emerging WMD terrorism risk. Pakistani Nuclear Scientist A. Q. Khan developed a transnational nuclear proliferation network reaching from Southeast Asia to Europe and making sensitive technology and WMD-related materials available to rogue nations willing to pay (Howard & Forest, 2013). The dismantling of the A. Q. Khan network revealed an uncomfortable truth about globalization. The very trends driving globalization—improved communications and transportation links—can enable development of extended proliferation networks that may facilitate the terrorist acquisition of WMD. Therefore, it is clear that globalization requires partner nations to work together closely to prevent, detect, and disrupt linkages that may develop between terrorists and facilitators such as A. Q. Khan. The uses of biological and chemical weapons are not similar to those of conventional means, such as guns, missiles, and tanks. One of the issues surrounding biological and chemical weapons is that they may not be easy to identify. The anthrax attacks of 2001 are one of the best examples to show how undetectable chemicals and bioterrorism attacks can be. This attack paralyzed the mail system here in the U.S. and put congressional leaders at risk, forcing them to move from their locations in Washington D.C. As a result, this created a number of precautionary measures for the U.S. Postal Service as well as postal communities and mailrooms all over the United States.. Because the biological and chemical agents are unlikely to be easily detected once deployed, and it is even possible these agents will only be detected when the agent affects someone. The agent might not arise in the system or impact the skin for several days after exposure. Signs and symptoms may develop slowly over time and the victims may need to be diagnosed in medical facilities. This presents yet another issue because patients arriving at the hospital can contaminate the emergency rooms and personnel. The true means of dispersal might not be detected, and the diverse impact of the agent could impact first responders on the scene. The detection of an agent will be difficult if integrated into milk, food, and aerosol means that maybe introduced through heating and air conditioning systems. There are means or methods developed over the past few years to distinguish between the new and old form of terrorism:

1. The September 11, 2001 attacks shattered the unrealistic image that the United States was not vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The main issue is now how to protect the U.S. citizens against an enemy that is continually developing new methods of attack. These same enemies stay hidden, which makes it difficult for authorities to locate and arrest these attackers.

2. Terrorist attacks are becoming more violent. Terrorists desire more attention, more sensationalism, and have more youth working alongside them to create a tragic event in a peaceful nation.

3. Terrorism today is much different from the communist party and the days of McCarthyism. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was an isolated country and not transactional across many borders. The new terrorists are transnational, hold no boundaries, seek funding from other terrorist backed nations, and want mass casualties and attention. Previous Cold War methods are outdated and no longer in high demand.

4. The new terrorists have more legal and illegal funding. They do not have to be accountable to the states, countries, or nations they acquire this funding from.

5. Today’s terrorists are better trained. Many times, they have secret locations in places such as in Afghanistan and other areas that might be heavily populated with Muslim extremist groups. Many of these groups are located in Europe and central Asia.

6. Due to technological advancements and the ability of terrorist groups to form a tight-knit network, it is difficult for this generation to penetrate the hierarchical structure and trap terrorist leaders. Loyalty and belief in the causes of disruption are key elements impeding penetration into the nucleus of these groups.

7. Prior threats to the United States involved smaller plastic explosives, grenade launchers, and other materials could be used for terrorist purposes. Today, terrorists are using the nuclear, biological, and explosive devices of greater size, longer distances, and larger sizes.

8. Victory will be elusive. More than likely, there will be no formal surrender by a defeated foe.

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Since September 11, 2001, the international community has made great strides in responding to the threat of WMD terrorism. Nations are working together bilaterally and multilaterally to address these threats and protect their populations. The United States has taken measurable steps to build a layered defense against the WMD terrorism threat. In 2003, the U.S. government announced the first National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. Through a variety of multinational initiatives such as the Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, and the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), the United States has taken a leadership role in reducing the threat of WMD in the hands of nonstate actors and terrorists (Howard & Forest, 2013). There will be no final victory; the terrorists will continue to terrorize and cause inconveniences for those around the event. The United States will have to learn to live with the inconveniences that may take place with the terrorist attacks in the

near future. This is something that the United States is not accustomed to, but since the terrorist factions are growing in numbers, the likelihood of having a cease-fire is highly unlikely any time soon. Biochemical agents could become the focus of a terrorist attack. Many issues may arise when there is a biochemical attack on the United States. The use of easily dispersed pathogens may cause infections, illness, and could lead to an outbreak of infectious diseases. Once the infectious diseases spread, many of the victims can become ill with high fevers, nerve paralysis, muscle weakness, and other illnesses associated with the type of agent.

References Howard, R. D., & Forest, J. (2013). Weapons of mass destruction and terrorism (2nd ed.). New York, NY:

McGraw Hill. Stikkel, H. C. (1997). Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen emphasizes a point during a Pentagon press

briefing on November 25, 1997 [Online image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Secretary_of_Defense_William_S._Cohen_emphasizes_a_p oint_during_a_Pentagon_press_briefing_on_November_25,_1997.JPEG

Suggested Reading In order to access the following resource, click the link below: Review the Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001 report by going to the following website: www.state.gov In the search box in the top right, type “Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001,” Click on the corresponding link in the displayed search results. This will direct you to a page with an article about the “Patterns of Global

Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen emphasizes a point during a Pentagon press briefing on November 25, 1997. Cohen released the second edition of "Proliferation: Threat and Response," which discusses the worldwide threat of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and the Department of Defense response to counter these threats. Location: Pentagon, District of Columbia (DC) United States of America (USA) (Stikkel, 1997)

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Terrorism” report. To the left of the article there will be a link that says “Report (PDF format)” and “Report (HTML format)”. You may click either of the links to view the “Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001” report. Click here for a PDF of the document.

Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. You may answer one or all of the following questions in one or two paragraphs.

1. What terrorism trends does the textbook identify as a framework for the article? 2. What are some of the means terrorists use to finance their operations? 3. Summarize the “conventional wisdom” regarding terrorist use of CBRN weapons prior to 9/11. 4. What is the nature of the CBRN threat from al Qaeda?