Research Paper on "National and International Terrorism"

Research Paper 4 pages (1160 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Chemical and Biological Terrorism

Types of weaponry

Geopolitical Change

Domestic Terrorism

Increased proliferation of CBRN

Technological Advances

The Doctrine of Escalation

Definition and use

Chemical Weaponry

Use

Biologicals

Use

Overview- the United States has one of the world's most powerful and technological advanced armed forces ever fielded. Yet, in the modern world of terrorism, military superiority alone is no longer sufficient to ensure the safety of the nation. Most scholars and military planners believe that any terrorist group would favor attacks using chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons (CBRN) (Stimson Research, 2009). Chemical and biological weapons, for instance, share a characteristic distinct from nuclear weapons: fairly easily acquired raw materials (for most pathogens or chemicals) that either have legitimate uses or occur naturally. For example:

Global Geopolitical Change -- the end of the Cold War was originally thought to have brought about a safer world. Instead, there is now greater autonomy between terrorist groups, significantly more enemies of organized states, and substate groups that are more independently funded through narcotics trafficking and smuggling. These groups disdain the developed states and, no longer restrained by the polar system of U.S. v USSR are able to operate with more global anonymity.

Growth of Domestic Terrorism -- the United States now faces groups from within who are comprised of ideological and religious zealots, antigovernment cults, and apocalyptic organizations who have been on the fringe for decades, but are now developing more sophistication in their approach to terrorism.

Increased Proliferation of CBRN -- While experts disagree on whether are not the stockpile of CBRN weaponry will be used, they do not disagree that they are available. Additionally, dozens of nations, unfortunately which include most of those designated by the Department of State as being sponsors of terroristic activities, possess the capability of chemical or biological weapons capability. Ironically, some of which is provided by education received in the United States.

Technological Advances -- Advances in science and biotechnology are both promising and dangerous. As research develops, more and more disenfranchised students have access to information that could be used in weaponry. In the chemical industry, for example, a great variety of highly toxic and/or inflammable chemicals are quite common in factories globally. New insights into the pathology of infection diseases and the organisms that cause them could also be channeled into terrorist ideals -- as well as methods to delivery said pathogens to a large audience.

The Internet, travel, and cross-border communication -- Again, rapid advances in global communication have increased the economic prosperity and potential for the entire world. However, by facilitating cross-border communication, increased global communication, and ease of access to information, the modern culture of the Internet often allows those predisposed to terrorism operate globally without fear of reprisal (Culluffo, et.al., 2001).

The Doctrine of Escalation -- One of the ironies within the study of the history and psychology of weapons is that humans, as the only animal on earth with the intelligence to plan his own specie's death, as opposed to individual murder, continues to develop weapons that kill more people faster. It was in 1917, though, that the world became initiated to the horror of chemical agents used in war. Aside from all out nuclear war, the idea of a chemical or biological agent being used on a civilian population places many governments feeling impotent and unprepared. In fact, the news films of the 1988 murder of Iraqi Kurds by order of Saddam Hussein only heightened this horror. This… READ MORE

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