START Research Briefs

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START Research Briefs

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Anatomizing Chemical and Biological Non-State Adversaries
(National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), 2014-03) National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START); Center on Contemporary Conflict (CCC)
The possibility that violent non-state actors (VNSAs), including terrorists and criminals, might employ chemical or biological (CB) weapons has understandably attracted much attention in both policy and government circles. This is primarily a result of credible evidence of terrorist interest in these weapons and demonstrated terrorist willingness and capability, albeit thus far via conventional means, to inflict mass casualties. Much valuable research has been conducted in the areas of state possession of CB weapons, the vulnerability of industrial and commercial facilities to attack or infiltration, the technical capabilities required to construct CB weapons and preparations for dealing with the consequences of a large-scale chemical or biological attack. In contrast, the characteristics, decision-making and behaviors of the potential perpetrators themselves have thus far received far less attention.