Equipment with which to increase biological weapons is now relatively easy to purchase, and the pathogens themselves are relatively commonplace. According to one source, it costs approximately $1.6 million using equipment which could be commercially available to supply a viable biological weapon.
Counter-Terrorism Analysis of the Bioterrorism Threat
Although the United States has already implemented world-class anti-proliferation efforts and expended billions in counter-terrorism, protection, and regional preparedness funding, it is tough to detect the construction of biological weapons capabilities by terrorist groups, or even nation-states for that matter.
This article presents a compelling case for why strategic, operational, and tactical analysis of info available on the state of bio-weapons construction by non-state actors (primarily Islamist jihadists) is so necessary. Such terrorists seek to purchase and appoint bio-weapons. A pathogen and a technique of attack specifically designed to obtain the strategic goals of jihadists are presented as realistic examples of the problem of the emerging global bio-weapons threat.
There are 3 main components to the construction of most biological weapons: medical expertise, pathogens and expansion medium, and equipment. According to biological weapons expert Dr. Reynold Salerno of Sandia National Labs, "There's no brilliant way to track or keep watch over expertise. There are few, if any, pieces of technology used to make bio-weapons that are not also used for a sort of different legitimate purpose. There are a lot of pathogens naturally occurring and widely available for weaponization."
By and big, biological weapons are becoming less difficult to increase by persons and non-state actors, either by indigenous manufacture, or acquisition and theft from any nation-state that has developed them. There is also the prospect of collecting pathogen samples from vectors that carry the inflammation during a naturally occurring outbreak. In 2006 and 2007, the U.S. State Department indexed five legitimate nation-states that are known to openly support terrorist groups. Four of themCuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syriahave established their own biological weapons programs, apart from the known bio-weapons programs of the U.S., China, Egypt, Israel, Taiwan, and Russia. There is evidence that a sort of nation-states may be willing to assist non-state actors in their pursuit of this unsafe capability.
Conclusion
If this type of threat sounds like whatever that governments can fight against without a totally educated work force, assume again. A bachelor's degree in counter terrorism or a bachelor's degree in protection management may be a particularly brilliant asset to fighting terrorism and developing our country's strategy for protection. Critical pondering, cutting edge analysis, and deep expertise of WMD terrorism are critical to combat these dangers from manifesting in the future.
Hiding in Plain Sight
A facility dedicated to the construction of bio-weapons does not require much space, nor does it have to be in an remoted location, surrounded by barbed wire and biohazard signs, as one might count on finding in a state-run program. The U.S. Government and different nations with an active interest in monitoring the capabilities of their neighbors collect intelligence on potential bio-weapons facilities. Even so, bio-weapons projects could be located in the center of a giant civilian population, and no would be the wiser. The backside line is that biological weapons easy to transport, easy to cover, and are virtually invisible to our current detection methods.
Of uncommon concern are terrorists armed with biological weapons. Is a terrorist attack utilizing biological weapons a real threat? If so, is there the way you can predict the circumstances under which it'd happen or how it'd be conducted?
To become proficient in national security worries, one must factor in building a strong foundation with a bachelor's degree in counter terrorism or a bachelor's degree in protection management. This level of education is necessary to understanding and analyzing the complex subtleties of today's security environment. What leading-edge multi-national organization or government does not directly benefit from the expertise of qualified security analysts whose primary task is to protect their interests? Proper schooling in counter terrorism and protection management are means to obtain these objectives.
A Solid Education Can Help To Combat Terrorism