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Traditional counterterrorist activities,
such as detecting and disrupting terrorist groups, cutting off funds,
and removing access to safe havens can be broadened and strengthened
in order to prevent WMD terrorism. Some experts favor a military
response to a terrorist attack, arguing that such a response would
make a strong statement and help to deter future attacks. Others
argue that military responses only provoke terrorists to strike
again, and that law enforcement mechanisms and diplomatic methods
are better suited to address the threat. It is still unclear what
effect the military campaigns in Afghanistan
and Iraq will have on future terrorist attacks against U.S.
interests, despite the destruction of the Taliban government, the significant disruption
of Al-Qaeda, and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist
regime.
Maintaining tight security over WMD materials in nations that
possess them is also critical for curbing WMD terrorism. Of
particular concern are nuclear materials usable for nuclear weapons;
radioactive materials that could be used for
radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), or "dirty bombs"; and dangerous biological agents,
used in medical and research centers. Tools designed to stop the spread of WMD to states, such as export
controls, can prevent the spread of materials and technology
to terrorists through possible state sponsors. Additionally, resolving
political conflicts in places such as the Middle East can
reduce terrorist motivations, although this can also lead to an
escalation in violence by factions opposing peace. International
agreements can also be used to contain WMD terrorism. The UN General
Assembly approved the
"International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism"
in April 2005, and the convention was opened for signature the
following September. The convention outlaws the threats or acts of
nuclear terrorism and requires states to criminalize such offenses. The United
Nations is also in the process of negotiating the
"Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,"
which obligates parties to prevent and punish acts of terrorism.
Preparing for a WMD terrorist attack involves (1) preventing attacks
through improved surveillance of terrorist activities and enhanced
security over WMD materials, and (2) reducing
the impact of an attack. For example, increasing the ability of
emergency responders, such as firefighters and medical personnel,
to deal with WMD attacks could help to reduce the number of casualties
if an incident occurs.
Since 1995, the United States has allocated enormous resources
to combating WMD terrorism. Numerous government programs have been
created in an effort to prevent and deter terrorism or to reduce
the effects of a major attack should it occur. For example, the
government has begun stockpiling vaccines, antibiotics, and nerve
agent antidotes to treat people in the event of a chemical or biological
attack. Analysts have criticized the significant overlap among various
federal counterterrorism programs, as well as the lack of a clear
strategy for coordinating these elements. The
anthrax attacks
of late 2001 have shown that public health is an important component of U.S.
national security and that there are gaps in the public health system,
particularly at the state and local levels.
Following September 11 and the subsequent anthrax attacks, President
Bush created a new
Office
of Homeland Security (OHS) to oversee and facilitate
communication between the numerous government agencies tasked with
domestic security responsibilities. However, in response to
criticism
that the OHS
did not have the jurisdictional authority necessary to fulfill its
stated mission, President Bush agreed to the creation of the
Department of Homeland Security, a cabinet-level organization
that would have the necessary
authority that OHS
lacked.
This brought
22 federal
agencies and 180,000 employees into one department. Many
believe that now that the various agencies responsible for protecting the
United States from WMD terrorism are "under one roof," the
government's ability to coordinate efforts to protect the country
will increase greatly. The new department began operations on
March 1, 2003. Its mission is to prevent terrorist attacks
within the United States, to reduce the country's vulnerability to
terrorism, and to minimize the effects of potential attacks,
including those involving WMD.
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