NCJ Number
189706
Date Published
2001
Length
138 pages
Annotation
The document is a comprehensive report on which countries pose a threat to the United States and why and how the Defense Department is prepared to meet that threat.
Abstract
Threats from proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) weapons come from states and non-states, such as terrorists. NBC weapons increasingly are viewed as asymmetric means to counter the West's superior conventional military capabilities. There is a growing potential for the production of new and more complex chemical and biological agents, which are more challenging for defense measures and medical treatment. Countries of concern that have nuclear capability are: China, India, Pakistan and Russia. Countries of concern that have, want, or are developing chemical or biological weapons are: North Korea, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan and Russia. A serious transnational threat, which crosses international boundaries, comes from the group led by Usama bin Laden. Chemical or biological attacks on crops or livestock are also a possibility. The Defense Department plays a vital role in supporting all facets of international counterproliferation policy. To prevent or reduce the threat of an attack, the Department uses several offices, programs or agreements, including the Critical Technology Program, the Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative, and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. To protect against a terrorist threat, the Defense Department follows or cooperates with the National Security Strategy, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency or other cooperative agreements. The Department's Counterproliferation Initiative ensures forces are prepared to conduct military operations even in NBC-contaminated environments. The Department responds to attacks to assist in the mitigation of damage. Annexes, glossary