NBC terrorism since the end of the Cold War – myths and realities

Essai , 2009 , 14 Pages , Note: 1,9

Politique - Sujet: Paix et Conflits, Sécurité

Moreover, the large-scale attack of 9/11 proved that the former generally accepted maxim of “terrorists want a lot of people listening and not a lot of people dead” (Jenkins, 1985, p. 6) is not meeting the reality anymore. However, it is in question if these incidents really point towards a trend among terror groups to obtain and use WMD in order to achieve their political or religious aims. Nonetheless, WMD-terrorism became a political priority, particularly in the United States since the Clinton administration declared “(t)he acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by a terrorist group is unacceptable. There is no higher priority than preventing the acquisition of this capability or removing this capability from terrorist groups” (Clinton, 1995). Regardless of this political development, there is an extensive scholarly debate whether WMD-terrorism poses a new apocalyptical threat due to the “availability of information and expertise, heightened frustration of terrorists, demonization of target population, or messianic vision” (Ivanova & Sandler, 2007, p. 274) or whether the use of chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological agents (CBRN) by terrorist groups is exaggerated by the media or governmental and law enforcement agencies. However, it is necessary to recognize the differences between radiological / nuclear and chemical / biological agents since “these weapons differ greatly in their ease of production, in the challenges they pose for deterrence, and in the effectiveness of defensive measures against them” (Chyba, 2002).
The purpose of this paper is not to present a comprehensive survey of the possible threat assessments or potential counter measures. Rather, it will analyze what kind of terrorist groups are more likely to use CBRN for their purposes and what motivation determines the decision either to use or to restrain from the use of CBRN agents. Furthermore, this essay will examine the actual capabilities necessary to weaponize chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material and the difficulties for terrorists to get to this stage.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• NBC terrorism since the end of the Cold War - myths and realities
• The motivation for the use of CBRN
• Religious fundamentalist terrorism as a new challenge
• The case of Aum Shinrikyo
• The role of constraints
• Al Qaeda and its use of CBRN
• Hezbollah
• Hamas and the use of CBRN
• The capability to use CBRN
• The case of Tamil Tigers

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze the likelihood of terrorist groups using chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents for their purposes. It explores the motivations behind the decision to use or refrain from using CBRN, examining the actual capabilities necessary to weaponize these materials. The essay also investigates the difficulties terrorist groups face in obtaining and using CBRN and examines the role of constraints on their actions.

• The potential threat of CBRN terrorism.
• The motivations of terrorist groups to use or refrain from using CBRN.
• The capabilities required to weaponize CBRN materials.
• The constraints on terrorist groups using CBRN, including political, moral, and practical factors.
• The role of religious fundamentalism and its impact on the likelihood of CBRN use.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• This chapter introduces the topic of NBC terrorism and explores the debate surrounding its potential threat. It examines the historical context, highlighting key events and the rise of WMD-terrorism as a political priority. The chapter also emphasizes the need to differentiate between various CBRN agents and their differing capabilities.
• This chapter focuses on the motivation behind terrorist groups' decision to use or refrain from using CBRN. It examines the concept of asymmetric warfare, the potential for CBRN as a force multiplier, and the role of religious fundamentalism in potentially loosening constraints against using CBRN. The chapter explores the differing motivations of groups seeking political goals versus those driven by transcendental-religious goals.
• This chapter explores the case of the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo cult, highlighting their unique combination of financial strength, technological capability, and apocalyptic intent, which led to their development of operational capabilities to use CBRN. The chapter delves into their religious fundamentals and their apocalyptic vision, which fueled their willingness to use CBRN as a means to achieve their goals.
• This chapter analyzes the role of constraints in influencing the decision to use CBRN. It examines the impact of political, moral, and practical constraints on terrorist groups, highlighting the importance of human audiences in shaping their actions. The chapter also explores the different levels of constraints faced by groups pursuing political goals versus those driven by religious ideology.
• This chapter focuses on the specific case of Al Qaeda, examining their efforts to gain access to CBRN. It explores their political strategy, their "utopian dream" of a powerful Islamic world, and their use of force strategically. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining public support and the potential consequences of indiscriminate violence in achieving long-term goals.
• This chapter examines the case of Hezbollah, exploring their rhetoric of "wiping out the enemy" and their use of chemical agents in the past. However, the chapter also notes their participation in the Lebanese parliamentary process and the resulting decrease in the likelihood of using mass casualty terrorism.
• This chapter focuses on the Palestinian group Hamas, examining their alleged efforts to gain access to WMD and the role of their political goals in restraining them from using CBRN. The chapter explores the impact of participating in the political process and the potential consequences of using CBRN on their political objectives.
• This chapter explores the capability of terrorist groups to use CBRN, focusing on the need for both opportunity and capability. It examines the case of the Tamil Tigers' use of chlorine gas in 1990, highlighting the role of immediate battlefield needs and the long-term consequences of using CBRN on their goals and public support.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper explores the complex and multifaceted issue of NBC terrorism. It focuses on the motivations, capabilities, and constraints surrounding the potential use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents by terrorist groups. Key themes include asymmetric warfare, force multipliers, religious fundamentalism, political goals, transnational terrorism, WMD acquisition, CBRN weaponization, and the role of public support.

• Université: Macquarie University
• Note: 1,9
• Auteur: MSc. M.A. Robert Fiedler (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2009
• Pages: 14
• N° de catalogue: V163708
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640784103
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640784134
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Cold