TERRORISM

                                    Part one

The United States Department of Justice’s definition of terrorism is “The unlawful use of force or violence committed by a group or individual against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the Civilian population or any segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives.”

Terrorism may be perpetrated by foreign or domestic individuals or groups. While the United States has not had as many incidents as some other Countries, we have had several serious attacks:

1. The bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993.
2. The bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995.
3. The bombing at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
4. The destruction of the World Trade Center and a portion of the Pentagon in 2001.
5. The sending of Anthrax through the U.S. Mail in 2001 and 2002.

Terrorist attacks can occur with or without warnings, and because of the nature of terrorist attacks they can and are often intended to result in mass casualties, loss of critical resources, disruption of vital services and the economy, and individual and mass panic.

Terrorist choose their targets to meet their goals, and usually these are lightly protected targets rather than very secure targets. Terrorist may also be drawn to major events such as Parades or Athletic events. Because of this, you may see heightened security measures to help deter and prevent terrorism at these locations.

Experts will generally agree that there are (5) five categories of possible Terrorist weapons. The acronym B-NICE will help you to remember these five weapons:

B-1.  Biological weapons.

N-2. Nuclear weapons and Radiological dispersal devices.

 I-3.  Incendiary devices.

C-4.  Chemical weapons.

E-5.  Explosive devices.

BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS: These agents are found in nature. Some Countries however, have devised ways to weaponize these biological agents so that they can be disseminated to affect broad segments of the population, animal populations and crops. Some of these agents are contagious, but many are not. Routes of exposure for Biological weapons are, Inhalation, Ingestion and Absorption.  It is possible for some biological agents to spread far beyond their initial point of contamination as the daily routes of affected individuals broaden the reach of the agent. Fortunately, most biological agents are very delicate and are easily destroyed by heat and other environmental factors.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS:  Terrorist attacks with a nuclear weapon would be much different from an attack with conventional explosive devices. There would be potential for physical injury and death to persons who were not injured in the initial attack. The affected area would be much larger than in a conventional attack, and debris and other unusually harmless items would become contaminated. The long term health effects would be more difficult to ascertain and manage. Fortunately, experts believe that the complexities of a terrorist group obtaining a nuclear weapon and maintaining the tolerances that are required for the weapon to function make the use of nuclear weapons by terrorist groups a low risk.

INCENDIARY DEVICES: These are mechanical, electrical or chemical devices used intentionally to initiate combustion and start a fire. Incendiary devices consist of three basic components, an igniter or fuse, a contained or body and an incendiary material or filler. These devices are relatively easy to make.

CHEMICAL WEAPONS: This weapon should be of real concern. Unlike biological agents or nuclear materials which are difficult to produce or purchase, the ingredients used to produce chemical weapons are found in common products and petrochemicals. Terrorist can turn these common products into LETHAL weapons. Below is listed five (5) categories of chemical weapons:

1. BLISTER AGENTS: These agents cause blisters, burns and other tissue damage. Exposure may be made through liquid or vapor contact with exposed skin, inhalation or ingestion. The effects of most Blister agents increase with time and may not reach full impact for 12 to 18 hours.
2. BLOOD AGENTS: These agents are absorbed into the bloodstream and deprive blood cells of oxygen. Exposure may be made through liquid or vapor contact with any exposed skin, inhalation or ingestion. Blood agents include two main families of chemicals, including Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanogen Chloride. As the symptoms of Blood agents’ progress, the victim will convulse and lose consciousness.
3. CHOKING AGENTS: These agents affect the lungs. Following exposure through inhalation, the lungs fill with fluid which prevents oxygen from being absorbed by, and carbon dioxide from being removed from the blood. Two common examples of choking agents are Phosgene and Chlorine.
4. NERVE AGENTS:  These affect the central nervous system. These agents act most quickly and are the MOST LETHAL of all chemical agents, acting within seconds of exposure. Victims of Nerve agents experience constricted pupils, runny nose, and shortness of breath, convulsions and cessation of breathing. Sarin is an example of a Nerve agent.
5. RIOT CONTROL AGENTS: These cause respiratory distress and tearing, and they are designed to incapacitate rather that kill. Common Riot Control agents include CS which we know as Tear Gas and Capsicum which is a Pepper spray.

CONVENTIONAL EXPLOSIVES:  These have been the weapon of choice for most Terrorist who have used them in more that 80% of attacks. While Terrorist have used military munitions such as grenades, mortars and shoulder fired surface to air missiles, the experts rate Conventional Explosive devices as the NUMBER ONE THREAT.

                                          END PART ONE

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Written by Tom Harris 11-17-05