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Why
Would Terrorists Want to Employ CBW?
 here
are several reasons why certain terrorist groups or individuals might favor the use of CBW over other kinds of weapons:
- If used effectively,
CBW are potentially capable of inflicting a large number of casualties—more
than is possible with
conventional explosives.
- CBW can have
a greater psychological impact than conventional explosives, as suggested
by the 2001
anthrax letter attacks, which killed only five people
but frightened millions of Americans.
- Terrorists may
seek to obtain greater status or bargaining power by demonstrating
that they have the technological capabilities required to develop,
produce, and deliver CBW agents.
- Although
chemical and biological weapons are not nearly as destructive as nuclear weapons, they are
much easier and cheaper to acquire.
- The psychology
or ideology of a particular terrorist group or individual may lead
to a fascination with poisons and disease.
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