We have discussed in class the probability of terrorists obtaining and using WMDs to achieve their goals. Recently, a man posted two specific ways to cultivate anthrax on a pro Al-Qaeda public forum. According to the article, the cultivation of anthrax is not extremely difficult, and anthrax is extremely inexpensive to produce... "Production costs are low; one kilogram of anthrax bacteria costs about $50 even though a lethal dose can be as little as one millionth of a gram." The man who posted on the forum included detailed microscopic photos of the bacteria in different phases of the production. It is alarming to think that such information is readily accessible in public forums. Although making anthrax as a weapon is dangerous and somewhat complicated, it is not impossible. As the article states, the equipment and know-how to produce anthrax are not available to "most jihadis." At the end of the anthrax production post, the man concludes by saying "wait for my next detailed posting on how to build a Cessna 128 aircraft" (used for chemical dispersion in agriculture). Even though it may be difficult and improbable for terrorists to produce and use WMDs, I believe that sooner or later, WMDs, probably biological weapons, will be used in the future by terrorists. I don't think that it is just because of this post of instructions, I'm sure Al-Qaeda knew most if not all of the information in that post, but it is becoming more accessible to anyone who desires it. There are further commentaries to be read at these websites.
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I remember back when there was the large anthrax scare here in the US there was a lot of talk about the ease and relatively low cost of producing anthrax. Of course it seems like the real problem is still the mass production and delivery. Obviously it doesn't take much to deliver a small portion of anthrax, but taking the next step does seem to be more difficult. I mean most of this information is really not a large surprise that it's out there. We talked about in class how academia shares knowledge so openly and freely which is one method of sharing such knowledge. Also, patented items are easy to obtain information on the production here in the US because the information is considered public domain.
So really it's more that it's bad that we as US citizens haven't really understood how readily available so much of this information has been already. We really need to watch out for groups that have the capabilities to put this information to use in their attacks. I wonder how many groups are capable of carrying out such attacks and why those who could, don't?
After our discussions on WMDs I am skeptical of terrorist organizations' abilities to obtain and use these weapons. On paper it may look simple and easy. But when it comes down to executing the plans, whatever can go wrong will go wrong (for the terrorists). Groups like Aum Shinrikyo would have been better off with a few pipe bombs than with their best attempts to use WMDs (assuming casualties as their primary goal).
I see a lot of shootings and crude bombings in the news, but not very many anthrax attacks. If it's so easy, why aren't we seeing more of it?
I also agree that it is improbable for Al Qaida to use WMD's in the future becuase the pointt of mass production and delivery are not so easy. If it was they would have used it by now.Notwithstanding deference should be used to deter them from having plans of achieving these goals.
I have to agree with Ryan and Noah. I think as long as tactics like suicide terrorism continue to work and kill mass amounts of with a relatively low cost, they will continue to use it instead of WMDs. As discussed in class, WMDs, more specifically biological weapons, which are the most likely WMD terrorist organizations would use, are difficult to acquire, mass produce, and deliver. So I just think terrorist organizations will just stick with the tactics that they know will work and will cause mass amounts of casualties. But I do believe when things like suicide bombings stop working, terrorist organizations will look for other ways to kill, which could possibly include WMDs.
We know that terrorism is inevitable. There are billions of people on this earth and plent of resources. So, there is no possible way a terrorism can ever be completely prevented. Because biological terrorism will mostly be used next, it is important that we anticipate a threat of this nature, and prepare against it like Betts argued. The civilian population should be given as much protection as they can receive. While we can't protect everyone we can minimize the casualities, that way we can, as a society avoid being so afraid of such attacks, which is, after all, what the terrorists themselves want.
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