The world is familiar with the horrifying reality of nuclear weapons. The United States' use of nuclear weapons at the end of World War II was the "opening shot" in the nuclear age.

Throughout the Cold War, the world seemed to be on the brink of nuclear catastrophe. Today we know that that risk was not as real as we thought. Such a misconception is characteristic of the many misconceptions about nuclear, biological, and chemical terrorism, which is often known as "NBC Terrorism." The many misconceptions that exist center around the availability of NBC material, the availability of instructional material on weapons-making, and on the supposed reluctance of terrorists to use such instruments.

However, as the 20^th century draws to a close, the reality is that people are ill-informed about NBC terrorism, which is the most terrifying form of terrorism in the world today. And although NBC terrorism may seem like something out of a summer blockbuster or the latest suspense novel, the harsh reality is that the potential for this sort of attack exists every day.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the threat of a tactical nuclear attack on the United States died. Though the US would seemingly be able to breathe a collective sigh of relief, there is a harsh, uncontrollable reality: that Soviet-produced nuclear weapons and fissile material have been stolen from poorly guarded storage facilities and sold on the black market.

A study by the Center for Science and Nuclear Affairs confirmed the illegal trafficking of such materials, and went on to detail numerous instances of theft of fissile material from scientific production laboratories all over the former USSR. The Center for Nonproliferation Studies conformed these findings while uncovering several more cases (seven in total) of significant theft of bomb-making nuclear material.

A common misconception today is that precise scientific knowledge is needed in order to make use of pilfered materials. However, it is just that - a misconception. A combination of factors has led to a world in which it is, unfortunately, relatively easy to construct a crude weapon of mass destruction, capable of killing millions in a single attack.

Though these weapons are gigantic in terms of the destruction they bring, relatively small amounts of essential fissile material are needed to form destructive bombs. For example, just 30 pounds of Uranium, which would be around the size of a softball, could produce a bomb capable of obliterating half of New York City.

An essential part of making these weapons is called a critical-mass summary, which is a detailed list of materials needed for weapons, the amount they're needed in, and the various forms they're needed in. Though this would seem like highly classified information, it's available by simply writing to the National Technical Information Service, a Washington, D.C. based agency. The cost: $3.

Of course, there is a huge difference between building one of these weapons and actually using one. As we know, the United States and USSR produced tens of thousands of these weapons during the Cold War, and only two were used in actual combat situations. However, terrorists today have shown a propensity toward bigger, stronger, and deadlier weapons. A prime example of this is the March 1995 nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system, which killed 12 and wounded thousands. This act represents a previously unparalleled act of domestic terrorism - unparalleled in its deadliness and unparalleled in its funding. The Aum Shinrikyo Cult, responsible for the attack, had nearly 50,000 followers and over $1 billion in assets, all while going relatively unnoticed, even in Japan.

As the United States solidifies its position as the world's premier economic and political power, it becomes a more likely target for NBC terrorism. Estimates now say that 40% of the terrorist attacks in the world are aimed at the United States or at US interests abroad. Considering that the US only has about 5% of the world's population, that is a very frightening number

As the probability of NBC terrorism becomes more and more real, cities around the United States are taking steps to ensure preparedness for an attack. Already the Defense Department has begun running drills in 120 US cities to deal with biological and chemical attacks at potentially vulnerable sites. In 1998 alone, the US government poured $6.7 billion into anti-terrorism programs from coast to coast. While it must be stressed that there has been no specific threat made against any US location, domestic or abroad, preparedness is on the rise all over the world.

In terms of prevention, the US must continue to be vigilant in hunting down and monitoring sites that are suspected of housing or producing nuclear, chemical, and biological agents, while solidifying its worldwide counter-terrorism network. When weapons as devastating as these are involved, prevention is our only hope for survival.

 Sources

 Leifer, John. "Apocalypse Ahead." The Washington Monthly, v.29 n.11 (November, 1997): 30-35.

 Williams, Alex. New York, v.31 n.44 (November 16, 1998): 28-33.

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