NCJ Number
199187
Journal
Studies in Conflict & Terrorism Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2003 Pages: 17-35
Editor(s)
Bruce Hoffman
Date Published
January 2003
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of terrorist groups that have used suicide operations as part of their strategy and their past involvement with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons.
Abstract
Groups using suicide operations which produce large numbers of casualties are groups considered as primary candidates for escalation to the level of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. This article attempts to isolate and explore in detail the implications of terrorist suicide behavior on the likelihood of future CBRN terrorist attacks. It addresses whether the use of suicide operations make the occurrence of a mass-fatality CBRN attack more probable. The article begins with a concentration on the definitions and historical origins of suicide terrorist behavior, presenting the scope of motivations and justifications. The article continues by providing an overview of groups that use or have used suicide tactics and a description of tactical and motivational specifics of each group. It scrutinizes past involvement of the selected terrorist organizations with CBRN agents. Finally, it provides an analysis of possible implications of the findings for future CBRN weapons use by non-state actors.