[19991208]RS20412_Weapons of Mass Destruction - the Terrorist Threat.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20412December 8, 1999Weapons of Mass Destruction the TerroristThreatSteve Bowman and Helit BarelForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryThe possibility of a terrorist attack using nuclear, biological, or chemical weaponsis an ongoing debate in the national security policy arena. While terrorist motivationshave traditionally been political ones that would not benefit from such an attack, concernis now voiced over a possible trend of inflicting greater numbers of casualties. Terroristsmost likely to attempt attacks with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are extremistreligious millenarian groups and small splinter terrorist cells. Nation-states appearunlikely candidates owing to fear of severe retaliation. Some terrorist groups may alsofear that WMD use would undermine support for their cause. Terrorist ability to produceor obtain WMD may be growing due to looser controls of stockpiles and technology inthe former Soviet Union and the dissemination of technology and information. However,WMD are significantly harder to produce or obtain than what is commonly d