Next Weapon of Choice by Terrorist - Research Paper Example

 Literature review: Next weapon of choice by terrorist Introduction The recent terrorist attacks across the world have raised many concerns among the world about the next weapon of choice by terrorists. Before 9/11, nobody thought that terrorists will use aircrafts to attack their targets. Nobody anticipated that the World Trade centre could have been destroyed using aircrafts. Same way when terrorists attacked Mumbai city in 2008, the method of operation was again quiet new to the world. Suicide bombers are another popular method among the terrorists. In short, it difficult for us to judge that how, when and where terrorists strikes and what weapons they may use in future. Pakistan is a country which possesses nuclear weapons. Moreover, it is a country where some of the infamous terrorists groups took shelter when most of the other countries closed doors fro them. The political instability and weak governance of Pakistan is a matter of concern to many people because of the fear that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal may one day come in the hands of the terrorists. Pakistan’s soft approach towards terrorists is not a secret to the external world. Biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction are another option for the terrorists in future. This paper reviews some of the literatures available about the future weapon of choice by the terrorists. Literature review: Next weapon of choice by terrorist The article Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Next Terror Attack, written by Matusiak and published in The Internet Journal of Rescue and Disaster Medicine, 2009, has mentioned the possibilities of chemical weapons which may use by the terrorists in future. The author mentioned that the idea of a terror organization using a WMD is to strikes fear directly into its intended target population and to prove that the terror organization weapon of mass destruction is in its possession. More than 90% of the most dangerous facilities transport chemicals by rail. Over 80% of these facilities receive shipments of toxic gas chemicals, which if released can cause medical problems if inhaled (Matusiak, 2009). Low end chemicals are mostly transported using the rail or sea transport. Even though many safety laws and regulations are there for the manufacturing and distribution of low end chemicals, no such laws are applicable or prevailing while transporting these materials. Rail and sea transport normally may not have much security compared to the air transport. We have many recent incidents in which Somalia sea robbers capturing the control of commercial ships passing near the Somalia territory. In other words, commercial ships don’t have much protection or self defence mechanisms which help the terrorists to rob such ships with ease. In short, it is quiet easy for the terrorists to acquire low end chemicals while transporting such items from one place to other. Toxic industrial chemicals like chlorine and or phosgene are some of the low end chemicals which can be misused by the terrorists because easy accessibility of it. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) -- chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents (CBRN) -- in the possession of hostile states or terrorists represent one of the greatest security challenges facing the United States.  An attack utilizing WMD potentially could cause mass casualties, compromise critical infrastructure, adversely affect our economy, and inflict social and psychological damage that could negatively affect the American way of life (Homeland Security Presidential Directive 18: Medical Countermeasures against Weapons of Mass Destruction, 2007). Terrorists groups have access to most of the weapons available in the world. In fact they have more intelligence than some of the governments about the destructive power and usage of some of the controversial weapons. They have proved it many times and 9/11 was one among them. Taliban and Al Qaida have close relationships with the Pakistani administration and the nuclear history of Pakistan strongly pointing towards the chances of terrorists getting the nuclear technology or weapons. In fact the father of Pakistan’s nuclear programs Abdul Qadir Khan is reportedly under house arrest for his alleged selling of nuclear technology to some other countries like North Korea, Iran etc. When India experimented a nuclear bomb in 1974, Pakistan decided to acquire nuclear arsenal and with the blessings of Bhuto Khan started his efforts. “Khan stole the centrifuge blueprints from Holland and smuggled them to Pakistan” (Melman 2009). History was repeating when Khan sold the nuclear technology to some of the close allies of Pakistan. If the father of the nuclear bomb in Pakistan can act is such irresponsible manner, there are every chance that the terrorists may acquire it quiet easily through different channels available in Pakistan. Apart from the nuclear and chemical weapons mentioned above, radiological weapons are another option for the terrorists in future. “Radiological weapons use conventional high explosives to disperse radioactive material over an area. They are useful primarily as an area denial weapon, forcing evacuation and extensive decontamination” (CRS Report for Congress, 2002). According to the homeland security advisory council report, (2007), the future of terrorism will depend, in large part, on the use and accessibility of technology. Increasingly destructive weaponry makes terrorism more lethal; advances in transportation increase the reach of terrorists; and cheaper and more secure means of communication make terrorism harder to detect. As these technologies advance, proliferate and become available to a wider range of actors, more and more potential enemies may use terrorism as a strategy and tactic (Homeland security advisory council report, 2007). The advancements in science and technology are not confined under the control of good people alone. In fact terrorists smell the possibility much quicker than anybody else when a new technology enters the market. For example, the introduction of mobile phone technology is served as a big blessing for the terrorists in controlling their operations. It is reported that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai city in 2008 received instructions and intelligences from their leaders staying in Pakistan through mobile phones when they were executing their missions in Mumbai. References 1. CRS Report for Congress, (2002), Weapons of Mass Destruction:The Terrorist Threat, Retrieved on 17 May 2010 from http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/9184.pdf 2. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 18: Medical Countermeasures against Weapons of Mass Destruction (2007), Retrieved on 17 May 2010 from http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/laws/gc_1219175362551.shtm 3. Homeland security advisory council report, (2007), Retrieved on 17 May 2010 from http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/hsac-future-terrorism-010107.pdf 4. Matusiak M, (2009) Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Next Terror Attack, The Internet Journal of Rescue and Disaster Medicine. 2009 Volume 8 Number 2, Retrieved on 17 May 2010 from http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_rescue_and_disaster_medicine/volume_8_number_2_14/article/weapons-of-mass-destruction-and-the-next-terror-attack.html 5. Melman Yossi (2009), Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb tells just how easy it is, Retrieved on 17 May 2010 from http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/father-of-pakistan-s-nuclear-bomb-tells-just-how-easy-it-is-1.7724 Read More