Anthrax Attacks, Biological Terrorism and Preventive Responses

Abstract

The recent anthrax attacks represent a fundamental shift in the nature of the biological terrorism threat. Fortunately, the scope and magnitude of this shift is far less devastating than the events of September 11th. As we face this new phase of biological weapons terrorism, it is important to maintain perspective even though the ability of the perpetrator of the anthrax attacks to terrorize the country is distressing. Fortunately, there have been comparatively few casualties. These attacks should serve to spur government action on a number of fronts to strengthen our national ability to prevent the proliferation of biological weapons, deny and dissuade states and sub-national groups from using them, and develop rapid means to detect an attack and track down the perpetrator should preemptive and preventive measures fail.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA414628

Entities

People

  • John Parachini

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Biological Factors
  • Biological Weapons
  • Casualties
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Commerce
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Governments
  • Law
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Negotiations
  • Public Health
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Microbial Pathology
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.