The Prospects for International Terrorist Groups Employing Chemical Weapons

<p>There has been much discussion and debate among security analysts scholars and politicians about the possible use of weapons of mass destruction. This paper examines the prospects for international terrorist groups employing chemical weapons. Specifically it argues that terrorists have the capabilities to employ chemical weapons but will be constrained from using them. A thorough search of available open literature material from books periodicals and the internet was conducted to compile the facts of this paper. Limited discussion with terrorist experts on the Air War College staff and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency were also incorporated into this paper. With the exception of the Aum Shinrikyo there is no open literature support for terrorist possession of a chemical weapon. Empirical evidence does support their ability to buy steal or build their own chemical weapon capability. Political ideological and moral constraints preclude the traditional terrorist employment of a chemical weapon. However there is a growing faction of terrorists the religious radicals who show a proclivity to use chemical weapons to further their cause. The United States has developed cogent policies and procedures to deter detect and respond to the chemical weapon threat. Additionally programs have been instituted to train first responders in all major American cities. In concluding the paper recognizes that traditional terrorists are constrained from using chemical weapons but the religious radical is not.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>