Forum 1 Chemical Attacks
- How has the Japanese terrorist group Aum Shinrikyo had a significant effect on counter-terrorist preparedness against chemical and biological weapons in the United States?
The group pretended to be a religious organization communicating their theories through biblical messages. In such a way countries were not initially suspicious of them as being terrorists, but a religious cult. However, when they were discovered, the group produced the most dangerous devices of mass destruction ever manufactured in the world. They made the sarin gas, which they secretly released in a Toyo subway attacking five trains. Subsequently, a total of 5, 000 people were injured, with 15 killed. Maybe due to fear many people did not report their injury and blamed it as being in response to a tip off given to police concerning the cult’s activities. Counter-terrorist preparedness against chemical and biological weapons in the United States during Aum Shinrikyo activities were strengthened (Jackson & Baker, C, 2005).
- What was the motivation behind the terrorist attacks committed by Aum?
At first it was difficult to understand, but investigations revealed that either he was a fanatic Christian or a demonic force. Aum Shinrikyo/Aleph was perceived as is a syncretic belief system linking Asahara's facets of Christianity with idiosyncratic versions of Yoga, and the writings of Nostradamus. By 1992 Asahara published a landmark book declaring himself to be the "Christ" and Japan's only fully enlightened soul or "Lamb of God.’ He designed himself to be taking away the sins of the world and predicted the doomsday. United States of America was proclaimed the target of attack since the cult believed that the country is the Beast spoken of in the book of Revelation claiming that America will eventually attack Japan (Griffith, L. (2004).
- How successful was Aum in developing and demonstrating its offensive capabilities and why?
Initially, Aum was successful because he was acting under the pretense of region. Between 1993 and 1995 many of his terrorists’ activities were discovered and members of the cult were captured/arrested until he was arrested and sentenced.
- How much of a threat does Aum represent today?
Aum activities still continue under a new name, but authorities consider him a threat to society. From January 2000 the group has been on surveillance for a period of three years under an anti-Aum law. Group leaders are required to prepare and give a list of its members to authorities along with assets details. Permission was granted by Japan's Public Security Investigation Agency for further three years surveillance from 2003 January because the group was still devoted to its leader Asahara (Lewis & Petersen, 2005).
- What lessons can we learn from this reading assignment?
When considered from ther perspective chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats to the homeland they can emerge from some very unsuspecting avenues under the guise of religion or interest group. Therefore, no activity should be exempt from scrutiny/investigation for threat to homeland security.
References
Griffith, L. (2004). The War on Terrorism and the Terror of God. William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company.
Jackson, B., & Baker, C. (2005). Aptitude for Destruction: Case Studies of Organizational
Learning in Five Terrorist Groups. RAND Corporation
Lewis, J., & Petersen, J. (2005). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press
Forum 2 Biological Attacks
- How might Iran be trying to leverage the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) against the United States?
This convention emerged after consistent efforts by the international community for the establishment of a new strategy to supplement 1925 Geneva Protocol. This Geneva Protocol prohibited use of weapons of mass destruction, but not its possession or development of chemical and biological weapons. If Iran were trying to leverage this convention they could not have had any weapons in the country neither found developing it. Fortunately, none was found even after America declared war on the country.
- What is the United States' position regarding transfer of bio-technology and how does it differ from Iran's position?
United States does not sanction transference of biotechnology except for three reasons. First there must be a legal reason for the attack. Secondly it should be used only against a target that poses a continuing, imminent threat to U.S. persons. Thirdly, a certainty must be established that the target is going to attack and deadly, upon evaluation capture is not feasible, the assumed terrorist country is not willing to address the threat and there are no other reasonable alternatives (US policy Standards, 2002).
- In the article "Anthrax Investigation Setback", what conclusions are reached regarding the Pakistani microbiologist?
The biologist thought it was not a feasible financial investment to pursue making a biological weapon from anthrax due to its complexity and he would lose money conducting the research (Warrick, J.2006).
- How does the article explain the availability of the Ames strain of Anthrax and how conclusive is it?
It was claimed that while the idea was fascinating to speculate that the Pakistani microbiologist received a sample of the proliferated Ames strain then passed it on to Al-Qaeda, for producing simple spore preparation techniques in Kandahar lab is not feasible. Further to think that it was used in the 2001 attacks seemed extremely unlikely. However, this does not semm conclusive because there are some apparent missing links. Someone is fabricating (Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, 2006).
- What lessons can we learn from this reading assignment? Include this as part of the conclusion for your posting.
The lesson learnt from this reading clearly shows how scientist can be manipulated into producing biological weapons once the money is lucrative. The morality of lives being destroyed or even the human race seems no to be their foremost concern. More importantly the police seldom gets the truth because there seems to be much of manipulation of scientific evidence that the truth clandestinely hidden.
References
Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre (2006). jtic.janes.com
US policy Standards (2002). U.S. Policy Standards and Procedures for the Use of Force in
Counterterrorism Operations outside the United States and Areas of Active Hostilities.
Retrieved August, 1st, 2013 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2013.05.23_fact_sheet_on_ppg.pdf
Warrick, J. (2006). Suspect and A Setback In Al-Qaeda Anthrax Case. Washington Post
Forum 3 Nuclear Threat
- Based on the article "Nuclear Terror" how serious is the current threat of nuclear weapons being acquired and used in a terrorist attack and why?
It is not considered that serious because the articles clearly states while terrorists use nuclear weapon is viewed as an ultimate threat. However, when the spectrum of possibilities related to unconventional weapons or warfare the reality is virtually impossible or hardly likely. Further investigations from a recent US nuclear terrorism assessment embracing traditional nuclear weapons, but excluding radiological dispersal devices as well as nuclear power attacks and reprocessing facilities, concludes that even though it would be difficult for terrorists to launch an attack nuclear attack on a US city Homeland security must not dismiss the possibility of it happening. As such, adequate counter attack must be made (Gordon, 2007).
- When are alpha particles dangerous to people?
Alpha particles are not usually dangerous, but do have a short absorption range alphas. Therefore, if they happen to be ingested or inhaled then is when they become extremely dangerous. The radiation is also the worst type of ionizing radiation there is and destroys chromosomes in the human body (May & Woods, 1979).
- What lessons can we learn from this reading assignment?
This reading assignment has produced many lessons. Homeland security can never be so sure that a nuclear attack is impossible because scientific research is continuing bioterrorism. It is a secret service in itself. As such, FBI agents ought to know the science of bioterrorism from the perspectives of scientists and no merely investigations. Homeland security should recruit scientists and train them as security agent (Arnone, 2005).
References
Arnone, M. (2005).Senators seek to fast track FBI's . Sentinel. FCW.Com
May, T., & Woods, M. (1979). Alpha-particle-induced soft errors in dynamic memories. IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices 26 (1): 2–9.
Gordon, J. (2007). Nuclear Terror. Jane’s Terrorism & Security Monitor
