Chemical and Biological Defense Primer
Abstract
The potential use of Chemical or Biological Weapons (CBW) against American citizens and assets is one of the most disturbing threats facing the United States today. Both chemical and biological weapons are considered "Weapons of Mass Destruction" or WMD. WMD are those weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. While the term "WMD" typically encompasses nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, this report will focus on the CBW threat because the potential threat from chemical or biological weapons is generally considered more likely than the threat from nuclear weapons. The CBW threat is significant because it is multidimensional in terms of diversity of potential users and the circumstances of that use. CBW can be used by rival nation states or terrorist organizations and can be employed on the battlefield or directed against the US homeland. Traditionally, the perceived threat of CBW was directed toward US combat troops or American installations in foreign countries. Today, however, use of CBW against domestic US targets is becoming a more credible threat. Enhancing this credibility is the fact that CBW threats to the US are no longer restricted to rival nation-states. In this current environment, CBW capabilities are rapidly expanding, becoming more accessible to organized groups or individuals wishing to threaten the United States and its citizens. Terrorist use of chemical or biological weapons is among the most alarming of emerging transnational threats. Both the absence of other dominating global powers and the existence of overwhelming United States military capability greatly limit a terrorist's options. Increasing numbers of terrorist groups are looking to make use of asymmetric measures to accomplish their goals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA423242