Author Description

Modern terrorism is poised to enter a new dimension - super terrorism - characterized by covert biological, chemical, radiological or nuclear attacks to achieve mass destruction and casualties. September 11 and its aftermath may be only the beginning. The future is likely to witness a growing number of mass-destruction acts carried out by ideologically motivated, loosely organized, terrorist networks that operate independently of state sponsorship and have access to the funding, materials, and increasing technological sophistication. While there is agreement on the possible consequences of super terrorism, there has been robust disagreement on the kind of investment that should be made in preparedness and response to biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorist attacks. Should the effort be geared to correcting all vulnerabilities or to responding to a low probability/high consequence threat in a more limited way? "This book contains excerpts from authoritative testimony, speeches and reports of political leaders, members of Congress, and leading experts who lay out a roadmap for understanding the nation's growing concern and response to the threat of super terrorism."--BOOK JACKET.