The timing of this article in the New York Times today coincides perfectly with our class discussion on terrorist groups' efforts to obtain WMD's. The article describes how the Colombian government obtained information from a laptop captured in the raids in Ecuador that killed FARC leader Raúl Reyes. The group was in negotiation to purchase radioactive materials in order to build a "dirty bomb." The purchase would be financed by money obtained from drug smuggling. Colombia also alleges that money given by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to the group would have contributed to the purchase of the material.
Perhaps these developments shed some light on the class discussion we had regarding the feasibility of terrorist groups acquiring WMD's. Whether FARC is able or would have been able to acquire the necessary materials to build a dirty bomb remain to be seen, but the fact that they have gotten close to doing so lends credibility to Bett's argument and perhaps disproves Dolnik's rational that crazy groups like FARC can't get a hold of WMD's.
It seems like in light of these new developments, we should renew our class discussion on the possibility of terrorist use of WMD's. It seems to me that the risk is still small, but large enough that governments around the world should not let their guard down and should increase their preparations to protect their civilians in the event that some group like FARC does acquire WMD's.
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Although the FARC may be trying to obtain radioactive material for a dirty bomb they have yet to employ such a weapon. Also, I don't really see them getting such materials too soon although they may have entered negotiations with someone.
It may be more likely that the FARC obtain basic radioactive materials to attach to a conventional bomb than other WMD (like actual nuclear weapons), but the likelihood of them using such a weapon is low as well. Considering guerilla engagements with military forces in the past I believe that having dirty bombs in their possession would definitely give the FARC an advantage which they currently lack.
I think our class discussion on Wednesday was rather enlightening on this- if a country invests tons of resources, time, and man power into building a nuke, they aren't going to give what they see as a status symbol of their power over to terrorists just because they ask, even if they might agree with/support their aims. Cases like this though, with a dirty bomb that would be more easily built then a conventional nuke, are much more intimidating. It's also scary that states like Venezuela are sponsoring this kind of activity as well- the devastation that could be employed by one such device is staggering.
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