Weapons of Mass Destruction and United States NBC Defense Readiness: Has America Provided the Attacker Asymmetric Advantage
Abstract
This monograph begins by examining the published definitions of asymmetry and asymmetric warfare as they exist in contemporary literature and official documents. In addition, NBC defense readiness is analyzed to determine the level of readiness that creates asymmetry in relation to weapons of mass destruction. From this review and analysis a definition of asymmetric warfare is developed. The definition and its components serve as the evaluation criteria to judge whether WMD use against the US would be truly asymmetric. Case studies serve as the test environments or experiments (Operation Desert Storm and the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia). Each case study was selected based on its potential for WMD volatility. Although in both cases no US troops or civilians were exposed to WMD, planning considerations and force protection measures were serious concerns. Lastly, the case studies are analyzed with regard to the developed definition to determine if WMD attacks in either case study would be considered asymmetric. Analyses of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta proved beneficial in obtaining a realistic view of US NBC defense preparedness against a WMD attack. Both studies revealed substantial deficiencies with respect to meeting established standards of NBC defense preparedness, which created vulnerability to asymmetric attack using weapons of mass destruction. A review of current federal, state and local actions to mitigate these deficiencies are discussed at the close of the monograph.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 27, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA366259
Entities
People
- Scott D. Kimmell
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College