Weapons of Mass Destruction -- The Terrorist Threat

Publication Date: March 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Military and defense

Type:

Abstract:

The continuing possibility of terrorist attacks using nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons is an ongoing concern in the national security policy arena in the face of a clear trend among terrorists to inflict greater numbers of casualties. Until the anthrax attacks targeted at selected individuals in the Congress and the media, it was thought that the terrorists most likely to attempt attacks with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) were extremist religious groups and small splinter terrorist cells. Though incomplete, the investigation into the anthrax attacks has begun to suggest that a domestic "lone wolf" with professional biotechnical expertise may be responsible.

Worldwide, the likelihood of terrorists being capable of producing or obtaining WMD may be growing due to looser controls of stockpiles and technology in the former Soviet states specifically, and the broader dissemination of related technology and information in general. However, WMD remain significantly harder to produce or obtain than what is commonly depicted in the press. The Central Intelligence Agency has reported that it is likely that most terrorists will continue to choose conventional explosives over WMD, but warns that the al-Queda network has made obtaining WMD capability a very high priority. This report will be updated in the event of significant further developments. For a more comprehensive discussion of terrorism and relevant legislation, see the CRS Electronic Briefing Book [http://www.congress.gov/brbk/html/ebter1.shtml].