- Identify one group from the text by Tucker and state one specific CBRN threat presented by that group. Then, identify the principles of detection, avoidance, protection, and decontamination from one specific CBRN hazard presented by that group.
In 2001 the Islamist cult group that launched the Anthrax attack was considered a dangerous threat. According to Canadian Data Projections an anthrax attack on 100,000 Canadians would result in 50,000 anthrax cases, 32,875 deaths, 332,500 hospitalization days, and a cost of $ 6.5 billion. The detection process is difficult since anthrax an easily spore forming being delivered to a target in dust form creating casualties through inhalation. It also has a long persistent effect (Ivanova, & Sandler, 2007).
Strict quarantine measures are recommended for avoidance, protection and decontamination purposes along with disposal of the dead by burning or burial. Graves must be in carefully marked to prevent contaminating drinking water. Fly control is another strategy regarding avoidance, contamination and protection because flies transmit the disease. The more flies are multiply it poses a greater incidence of the disease spread. Importantly, sanitation must be maintained at the highest level. A screen above doors and window is advocated. Wearing of mask may also become necessary (Ivanova & Sandler, 2007).
- Identify a second group from the text by Tucker and state one specific CBRN threat presented by that group. Then, identify the principles of detection, avoidance, protection, and decontamination from one specific CBRN hazard presented by that group
A second group from the text can be identified as The Japanese religious cult which unleashed various amounts of Osmium Tetroxide (OsO4) in Tokyo and threatened to attack other parts of the world including the US. This is a colorless pale yellow solid gas. At room temperature it becomes osmic acid and as a solid evaporates easily at room temperature since it has a very high vapor pressure. As such, if a canister of this gas is left in an enclosed area would give a pungent, ozone- or chlorine-like odor. Precisely, the vapor pressure of OsO4 is 7 mm Hg at 20°C/68°F, compared to a vapor pressure of 17 mm Hg for water, 2.10 mm Hg for sarin nerve agent (GB), and 0.0007 mm Hg for VX nerve agent they are liquids. Precisely, estimating the correct vapor pressure of a chemical is crucial in determining its inhalation hazard (John, 2006).
Therefore, in identifying the principles of detection, avoidance, protection, and decontamination the foregoing considerations are very important. Detection ought to be through creating strategies to observe the odor and immediately relocate people form that geographic area. Exposure is more dangerous than inhalation so protection principles must be focused towards illuminating the gas from the atmosphere (John, 2006).
- Identify a third group from the text by Tucker and state one specific CBRN threat presented by that group. Then, identify the principles of detection, avoidance, protection, and decontamination from one specific CBRN hazard presented by that group.
The Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) is perceived a terrorist organization by Algeria and France governments. However, they have establishments in United States, Belgium, UK, Italy and France. Their major CBRN threats are catered towards guerrilla warfare, which involved bombings. Essentially, a bomb blast can be considered a nuclear blast. Therefore, detection, avoidance, protection and decontamination from bombings are difficult since there is no way to identify when the group will strike. The target populations are known. Consequently, the principle should be aimed at protecting that population by removing foreigners from Algeria because the group targeted is foreigners (The investigative project on Terrorism, 2013).
If the population cannot be relocated immediately, preparation must be made to contain widespread radioactive material, which could contaminate air, water, and ground surfaces. Bomb explosions carry fatal consequences. They include blinding light, intense heat/ thermal radiation, nuclear radiation, blast, fires. These are vital considerations when designing principles for detection, avoidance, protection and decontamination from bombings (The investigative project on Terrorism, 2013).
4) Explain in detail 2 of the most important things you have learned from this course, and how you might apply these things in your personal or professional life.
The two most important concepts I have grasped from this course are first the various approaches to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (CBRN); secondly the intensity of groups established just to infiltrate society with violence. While detection, avoidance, protection and decontamination strategies have to be designed and redesigned based on the prevailing circumstances or specific agent these are threats to safety of people and the world, which must be carefully addressed from a homeland security perspective. Importantly, if not carefully traced the world could end within a few seconds.
Then one wonders why terrorist group emerge. Is there a way to detect terrorist tendencies in humans and groups for prevention programs to be organized early circumventions of plots occur. This is essential information for anyone aspiring in the homeland security discipline.
References
Ivanova, K., & Sandler, T (2007). CBRN Attack Perpetrators: An Empirical Study. Foreign
Policy Analysis. 3, 273–294
John, E. (2006). Jane's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense 2006–2007 (19th ed.) UK;
Alexandria, Va.: Jane's Information Group
The investigative project on Terrorism (2013). Terrorist Organizations and Other Groups of
Concern. Retrieved on August 4th from http://www.investigativeproject.org/profile/126
Part 11
- In 3 full paragraphs of 4-6 sentences in each paragraph, fully explain the threat posed from the Holocaust survivors in Chapter 2 of "Toxic Terror", and link the threat they posed to a current threat to our homeland
Muharem Kurbegovic, known as the "Alphabet Bomber,” is a suspected holocaust survivor. He was among the first to threaten to release nerve agents in populated areas. Also he was an engineer, acting in the name of a fictitious group called "Aliens of America.’ This notorious character was responsible for a series of bombings in Los Angeles (Tucker, 2000).
Kurbegovic built his own terror network by using conventional explosives. Threats were further communicated through the media. Apart from attacking civilians this Yugoslavian planned organized terror attacks on the President of United Sates of America. Members of Congress and nine supreme court Judges were targeted too (Tucker, 2000).
Alphabet Bomber was ultimately convicted of planting a bomb at Los Angeles International Airport. Subsequently, three people were killed from this 1974 attack. He was not granted parole even though pleading for it. In his plea he declared that Californians stand to gain from his release. He emphasized that being a threat to the United States government it was the best thing for the court to do because he would ultimately be deported to Yugoslavia. The court upheld its ruling (Pristine, 1987).
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- In 3 full paragraphs of 4-6 sentences in each paragraph, fully explain the threat posed from the R.I.S.E in Chapter 4 of "Toxic Terror", and link the threat they posed to a current threat to our homeland.
Tucker (2000) describes threats posed from R.I.S.E as including sixteen people, eight males and eight females. Primarily, it would consist of people from the opposite sex. Further, he devises the concept, ‘ecoterrorists’ group. The intention of this group is to recruit bioterrorists agents. They include typhoid, botulism, meningitis, bubonic plague, anthrax, diphtheria. Schwander and Pera were believed to be anti-Nazi members from the holocaust era. They formed the R.I.S.E organization to destroy the world through bio-chemical warfare (Tucker, 2000).
However, in 1972 Chicago police arrested Allen Schwander and Stephen Pera. They were two college students. These students planned a bioterrorist attack to poison the city's water supply with typhoid and other deadly bacteria. Schwander strengthened his R.I.S. E. group. Pera grew cultures from his hospital. Eventually, they escaped to Cuba where Schwander died in 1974 and Pera is here in America on probation from 1974 (Joy, 2007).
Today threats of the particular group are not very strong, but bioterrorism continues to be a subtle warfare among nations of the earth. History shows where these strategies are not new to scientific world. Enough evidence does not always exits to convict perpetuators. One such example was the situation of United States invasion of Iran. To date no weapons of mass destruction were found. Therefore, much more work needs to be undertaken pertaining to detection of bioterrorism by homeland security.
- In 3 full paragraphs of 4-6 sentences in each paragraph, fully explain the threat posed from the Rajneeshes in Chapter 8 of "Toxic Terror", and link the threat they posed to a current threat to our homeland.
The incidents organized by Rajneeshes were significant to American history. They were the only ones of its kind to result in serious illnesses. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh cult was later renamed Osho. They aimed to destroy the city’s voting population for their candidates to win the 1984 Wasco County elections. The biological agent was Salmonella enterica Typhimurium.It was served in glasses of water to two County Commissioners. Later it was distributed at salad bars in salad dressing. More people were affected (Tucker, 2000).
It was considered the first single largest bioterrorist attack in United States history. To date it is also one of two confirmed terrorist attacks, where biological weapons were applied in harming humans. The last one occurred in 1945. While there were no fatalities 751 became infected and 45 hospitalized (Tucker, 2000).
Current United States bio-agents laws are administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. They have upheld the philosophy that bio-agents pose a severe threat to public health safety. They have been classified into three categories A, B or C. The Select Agent Program administered these categories. Laboratories are designed to possess, use, or transfer select agents within the United States of America. These are mechanisms developing as homeland security measures (Joy, 2007).
- In 3 full paragraphs of 4-6 sentences in each paragraph, fully explain the threat posed from one threat group of your choice in Chapters 1-10 of "Toxic Terror", and link the threat they posed to a current threat to our homeland
Aum Shinrikyo, a Japanese terrorist group pretended to be a religious organization communicating theories through biblical messages. As such, countries were not initially suspicious of them as being terrorists, but a merely 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 was secretly released in a Toyo subway attacking five trains (Jackson & Baker, C, 2005).
Subsequently, a total of 5, 000 people were injured, with 15 killed. Maybe due to fear many people did not report their injury. They blamed it as being in response to a tip off given to police concerning the cult’s activities. Counter-terrorist preparedness against this potential enemy had to be strengthened. Chemical and biological weapon detection and protection in the United States was researched and counter- strategies developed immediately (Jackson & Baker, C, 2005).
While Aum activities continue under a new name authorities consider him a threat to society. From January 2000 the group has been on surveillance for a period of three years. They are scrutinized within anti-Aum law enforcement. Group leaders are required to prepare and give a list of its members to authorities along with assets details annually. Permission was granted by Japan's Public Security Investigation Agency for further three years surveillance. It was discovered that the group is still devoted to Aum doctrines (Jackson & Baker, C, 2005)..
References
Pristine, T. (1987). Muharem Kurbegovic. Los Angeles Times
Tucker, J. (2000). Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons.
Cambridge, Mass. The MIT Press, 2000.
Jackson, B., & Baker, C. (2005). Aptitude for Destruction: Case Studies of Organizational
Learning in Five Terrorist Groups. RAND Corporation
Joy, B. (2007). Why the Future Doesn't Need Us: How 21st Century Technologies Threaten to
Make Humans an Endangered Species. Random House,
