ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with three aspects of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMDs): a historical analysis of the use of WMDs and a survey of the types of such weapons that exist and their lethality. Another aspect is an analysis of the ability of groups engaged in terrorism to use such weapons. During the 1990s, there was a widespread belief that biological and chemical weapons were the greatest danger facing humanity. To date, there are at least eight states with openly declared national nuclear weapons capabilities: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, the People's Republic of China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea. Examining one toxic chemical, ricin, may help to make clearer the dangers that exist today from the potential of chemical terrorism. Risk assessment for biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear weapons could be based on the distinctive qualities of each of these weapons, as these qualities impact their effectiveness and likelihood of use.
