Strategies for Coping with Enemy Weapons of Mass Destruction
Abstract
A few states now constitute a most compelling and dangerous threat to U.S. and allied security in the Middle East, North Africa, the Persian Gulf, and Northeast Asia. One can describe these most threatening of enemy states with a common acronym: nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) arming sponsors of terrorism and intervention (NASTI). Each is pursuing an NBC weapons capability as well as the means of delivering these weapons. Each seeks to conquer or overturn the governments of one or more neighboring states. Each is a state sponsor of international terrorist activities. Each is overtly hostile to the United States and one or more of its key allies. Each follows a "nasty" policy of threats and acts of violence against regional and domestic opponents. Just who are these NASTIs who have emerged to provide us with a new set of threats to contend with? Anthony Lake, national security advisor to President Bill Clinton, has identified a number of such "rogue," "outlaw," or "backlash" states: Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya, and Cuba. Failure to prepare for the NBC battlefield is the path to a WMD disaster of epic dimensions that might dwarf other defeats in the history of warfare. More U.S. and allied troops could be lost in an afternoon than were lost in either the Korean War or the Vietnam War if we are not prepared. Successful WMD preparation and the advertisement of this fact to potential adversaries may prevent this nightmare scenario from developing. If NBC warfare does come, U.S. and allied forces will need such preparations to survive and have a chance at success in the most lethal situation ever faced by military units or allied states. The responsibility for preparing U.S. military forces for such contingencies lies with the regional Commander in Chief as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of Defense, and the President. The U.S. counterproliferation initiative that began in late 1993 is only the beginning of a long road ahead.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA528769
Entities
People
- Barry R. Schneider
Organizations
- Air War College