Terrorist groups

Biological warfare agents present a greatly increased threat because the original viruses or bacteria can multiply and infect additional people. Considerable concern has been expressed over the possibility that a terrorist group might obtain a sample of the smallpox virus. Until recently, it was believed that smallpox had... 

During the last decades, mass terrorism has developed into international terrorism. Known are transnational terrorist groupings, particularly Aum Shinrikyo , al Qaida and others, which are able to use any methods of mass terrorism to demolish people, animals, vegetation, stocks of materials and capital equipment. 

These production sites can provoke the interest of terrorist groups due to the large number of people working there and become targets for terrorist acts. 

Adversary Any individual, group, organization, or government that conducts activities, or has the intention and capability to conduct activities detrimental to critical assets. An adversaiy could include intelligence services of host nations, or third-party nations, political and terrorist groups, criminals, rogue employees, and private interests. Adversaries can include site insiders, site outsiders, or the two acting in collusion. 

As shown by the activity and aims of the terrorist groups discussed in this section, regional conflicts can directly affect Western security and safety, particularly as these conflicts fuel innovation and the interaction and training of multiple terrorist groups. 

Cuba, while listed as a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. Government, does not provide significant resources or support for the most dangerous anti-western terrorists. Cuba is listed because it provides safe harbor to members of designated terrorist groups such as the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) and the FARC as well as other fugitives from U.S. justice [47]. 

There can be no doubt that, if given the opportunity, terrorist groups such as al Qaeda would not hesitate to use disease as a weapon against the unprotected to spread chemical agents to inflict pain and death on the innocent or to send suicide-bound adherents armed with radiological explosives on missions of murder [10]. 

A number of trends discussed above favor the eventual use of CBRN weapons. The willingness to commit mass murder is primary among them. Cross fertilization among terrorist groups increases the likelihood that terrorists will develop and use more sophisticated tactics and weapons as groups share information and resources on materials, methods, and tactics. Splinter groups are seen as more likely to attempt innovation and the spread of technology will put the power to develop ever more sophisticated weapons in the hands of terrorists. 

There are several specific factors that indicate terrorist groups are making progress in the pursuit of CBRN materials and technology. A few highlights include ... 

This suggests that terrorists are driven to use bigger bombs or more deadly weapons. Based on this premise, it seems very likely that in the near future terrorists will elect to use more weapons of mass destruction rather than traditional explosives or firearms. Biological weapons are particularly likely to be used by terrorist groups because they ... 

Attempted Missile Purchase, Chicago —During 1985, a terrorist group (El Ruken) linked to Libya used violence and intimidation on the streets of Chicago to raise money to purchase weapons. Several members of the group were arrested in 1985 when they attempted to purchase a hand-held missile to shoot down an airplane at Chicago s O Hare Airport. 

While it is very unlikely that terrorist groups could gain access to a U.S. nuclear weapon, there is a great concern that they could obtain smaller or more primitive nuclear weapons from other countries, particularly Russia, Pakistan, North Korea,... 

If al-Qaida or another terrorist group gained control of one or more Russian suitcase nuclear weapons, they could be smuggled into the U.S. by small boat or overland from Mexico or Canada. The explosion of such a device in a crowded city could cause immediate deaths of tens of thousands and lead to cancer for many of the survivors. 

For the purpose of this discussion, radiological materials that could be used in a terrorist attack are divided into three categories (1) bomb-grade nuclear material, (2) nuclear reactor fuel and associated waste products, and (3) industrial sources. Bomb-grade nuclear material includes concentrated plutonium and/or highly enriched uranium (>20% U-235) that may be used to build a nuclear weapon, assuming a terrorist group cannot or has not already secured an assembled weapon. 

---