NCJ Number
189544
Date Published
December 2000
Length
96 pages
Annotation
This report offers priorities for Federal officials to arrange resources for defending the United States against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism.
Abstract
The concept of national security planning must be broadened to encompass CBRN counterterrorism since the declaration that there is a 100 percent likelihood of an impending biological or chemical terrorist attack in the United States. The challenge to the government is that no single Federal agency is responsible for terrorist attacks and that there must be a coherent response. A counterterrorism strategy involves preventing an attack from occurring, and preparing governmental and nongovernmental capabilities to respond to an attack. The strategy for preventing an attack involves deterrence, nonproliferation, counter-proliferation, and preemption. Linking these four elements is the need for first-rate intelligence capability. However, terrorist groups are hard to penetrate and have become less susceptible to technological collection techniques. It is recommended that the United States invest in all-source intelligence capabilities, and strengthen warning capabilities. Effective CBRN counterterrorism requires the coordinated participation of many Federal agencies. Federal, State and local exercises have revealed serious deficiencies in preparedness including severe lack of coordination. Effective organization of the medical/public health communities is also critical. The capacity of detection and treatment of infectious diseases needs to be greatly enhanced. Recommendations included capitalizing the public health structure, developing a national bioterrorism surveillance capacity, developing a rapid and reliable diagnostic system, and expand laboratory response networks and capabilities.