External Constraints: The Security Environment Created by Governmental Counter-Measures (From New Face of Terrorism: Threats from Weapons of Mass Destruction, P 212-246, 2000, Nadine Gurr and Benjamin Cole, -- See NCJ-190875)

• NCJ Number: 190884
• Author(s): Nadine Gurr; Benjamin Cole
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 35 pages
• Sale Source: I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This chapter states that the future scale of the threat from nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) terrorism will be determined by the effectiveness of countermeasures implemented by the government.

Abstract

It is impossible to permanently protect all potential targets, but the threat can be contained using the same basic approaches used to combat conventional terrorism, with the addition of some special measures. Governments are pursuing a multi-layered, integrated strategy of policy responses at national, bilateral, multilateral, and global levels. The primary and most critical level of defense is at the national level. The multifaceted nature of the threat means that governmental responses require the coordination of the activities of a wide range of departments and agencies. The principle means for preventing terrorist attacks taking place are intelligence and good police work, backed up by legislation, which provides the necessary authority for these agencies to do their work effectively. Monitoring communications traffic has traditionally been a prime source of intelligence, but as terrorist groups become more sophisticated it is becoming increasingly difficult to intercept anything of value. Beyond these traditional activities, intelligence and law enforcement agencies now need to watch for technical indicators from small-scale NBC weapon development activities. Additional sources of intelligence can also emerge from terrorist defectors or from the interrogation of captured terrorists. There has always been a lack of uniformity in antiterrorism legislation between different states. There is an inherent tension between strengthening antiterrorism legislation and maintaining civil liberties. Physical security measures designed to protect individuals, important sites, or even geographical areas can add another level of practical difficulty for terrorists planning to carry out an NBC attack. Additional security at nuclear power stations has been identified as a necessary requirement in several states. Security forces can also be used to conduct preemptive and punitive attacks on terrorist bases and suspects. Strengthening public health systems is one of the foremost consequence management measures available to states. 100 notes