In the post 9/11 era of America, terrorism has become an unfortunate part of life. Since that day, America has seen six different attacks that have been aspired by Islamic extremism. From the anthrax attack in late 2001 to the San Bernardino attack in 2015 the increased violence has only become more frequent and more difficult to predict (Ilich, 2016). This includes the most recent example or Islamic extremism that occurred in Orland, FL at Pule night club when 29 year old Omar Mateen opened fire on unsuspecting victim claiming the lives of 49 and wounding an additional 53 (Ilich, 2016). The Boston bombing was the first time since the anthrax attacks that terrorism involved more than just a firearm (Ilich, 2016). The evolution of attacks makes since to move on from simple weapons to chemical attacks. The threat of chlorine attacks has to be considered with the ever growing use of it in Iraq and Syria. This discussion will look at the history of chlorine as a weapon. Then review current uses of chlorine as a weapon by Islamic extremist. Afterwards, theoretically look at how a chlorine weapon should be used in the United States, specifically Las Vegas. Then finish with how to prevent that attack. Chlorines history was never intended to be used as a weapon. In 1774 German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele discovered the chemical (Chlorine, 2013). The uses for liquid and solid chlorine was found to kill bacteria and has been developed to be used in small quantities to
Domestic terrorism has been a major threat in the US since the catastrophic event that took place during attack on 9/11. Following the aftermath of the terrorist attack, the US intelligence services and law enforcement agencies emphasized heavily on combating terrorism on global scale as international terrorism was views as the major threat to the public security of the US which caused the issue of domestic terrorism to be overlooked. We have seen many terrorist attacks since the attack on 9/11 that were planned and executed by individuals and groups born and raised in America. Some of those attacks include the Oklahoma City bombing, the Boston marathon bombing. There has also been increasing number of mass shooting by individuals that were identified as to be radicalized by terrorist groups abroad, the most recent mass shooting that was identified as a terrorist act was in Orlando where more than 50 people were killed (Alveraz, p.1). The cases mentioned above will be discussed in detail later in the essay. Although, American law enforcement agencies are actively conducting intelligence and operational missions to prevent international terrorism, however, the US needs to develop efficient tactics to prevent the rise of domestic terrorism. Otherwise, the United States may face a danger of the unfailing growth of domestic terrorism similar to some of the European countries; such as the United Kingdom. Consequently, law enforcement agencies should concentrate on the preclusion
The 9/11 terror attacks is one of the historical and fatal events that changed the United States of America forever, especially in relation to terrorists and terrorism. While these concepts were on the minds of very few people in America's population before the attacks, the 9/11 incident made terrorism to become one of the major concerns for the whole nation. This is despite of the fact that they were carried out in New York City, Washington, and parts of Pennsylvania. Since it was a major concern, the terror attacks dominated all kinds of media and contributed to increased security measures for average Americans. Moreover, terrorism currently provides a major threat to global security that any time in American and global history (Dyson, 2001, p.3). As a result, it has become a fundamental aspect for law enforcement agencies and their initiatives, particularly with the rapid technological advancements.
In addition to conventional threats, chemical, biological and radiological weapons of mass destruction have far greater lethality and scope and pose a greater risk than they have in the past. The kkk terrorist attacks demonstrate the extremism and the uncivilized society of terrorist techniques and challenge the traditional approach to security. The Secret Service is challenged to identify and neutralize potential threats by individuals and groups in this increasingly sophisticated, mobile, and violence prone environment.
The chemical sector within the United States is a necessary element to the economy, security, and the well-being of personnel. The appeal of a chemical sector and the destruction it could create would be an ideal target for terrorists to strike. Facilities within the United States use, manufacture, store, transport, or deliver chemicals that encompass everything from petroleum, refineries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and hardware stores (Department of Homeland Security, 2010). Multiple facilities that utilize chemicals could be exposed to a treat, which leaves the facility vulnerable to attacks. The consequences of the attack could be detrimental to both public health and safety; therefore, the goals for the chemical sector are to (Department of Homeland Security, 2010,
Since 9/11 attacks, the counter terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has become the top national security priorities. The Obama administration has exercised prodigious efforts to fight with terrorism, stooping Iran Nuclear programme and drawing red-line for Syrian use of chemical weapons. To safeguard the security of US citizens, it is most important
Terrorism, in a modern day perspective, has been molded as a Middle Eastern threat to Western Civilization; although the whole idea of terrorism itself has existed for ages. Undoubtedly, “The War on Terror,” is a western form of saying to depict the general aspect of terrorism. Through all aspects of the world, terrorism, is defined as an act of unruly and warlike tactics that mainly creates harm to civilians. Usually, these acts of violence are not simply for the use of harming citizens, but to voice specific mutinous organizations that do not comprehend with the standard civilization. This analysis will numerically discuss the main aspects of the United States intervention with terrorism, past terrorist acts, and a modern day
In the past 15 years, the threat of terrorism has grown immensely, the frequency of attacks is the highest it has ever been. With these terrorist attacks becoming so frequent, there is great risk to the citizens of western countries. In the article “The Road to Orlando: Jihadist-Inspired Violence in the West, 2012-2016,” Sam Mullins states that while the number of attacks has increased, the number of deaths has decreased because most attacks are carried out by individuals, not terrorist groups. Sam Mullins is a professor with a Ph.D. in Counterterrorism, and has also been a very strong contributor to some of the most influential terrorism research journals. The main focus of the article was on the perpetrators of these attacks and how most
With a large amount of confusion surrounding the public, religions began to voice their opinions. Some religious views were supported by the media, whereas medical support was varied but limited as many felt that chloroform was unethical (Church History, 2006). The Church of England preached against the use of chloroform relating to the bible “God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam… he took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh”, Simpson challenged this as it shows the first surgical operation on humans (Robinson, 1996). Simpson discovered that during labour a women can experience anxiety and dread towards birth but with chloroform those feelings disappear (Poovey, 1986). A journalist for New Vision tested securities around chloroform
Guns, knives, and conventional explosives have so far remained the weapons of choice for most terrorists; however, recently terrorist have gone to the tactics of using vehicles as well, since such weapons can cause many casualties and are relatively easy to acquire and use. But some terrorist groups now show interest in acquiring the capability to use chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) materials [Federal Emergency Management Agency, (July 2002)]. It is difficult to predict the likelihood of a CBRN attack, but most experts agree that today's terrorists are seeking the ability to use such agents in order to cause mass casualties [Federal Emergency Management Agency, (July 2002)]. Cyber-attacks are often considered in the same context with CBRN. Respectable experts have published sobering scenarios about the potential impact of a successful cyber-attack on the United States. Already, hackers and criminals have exploited some of our vulnerabilities [National Research Council. (2007)]. Terrorists are making extensive use of the new information technologies, and a conventional terrorist attack along with a coordinated cyber-attack could exponentially compound the damage [National Research Council. (2007)]. This changing nature of the terrorist threat raises the stakes in getting American counterterrorist policies and practices
Chlorine was first discovered by a man whose profession was in the medical field. However, since it was 1774, the technology wasn’t as advanced and therefore led him to misleading conclusions. Carl Wilhelm Sheele was a Swedish pharmacist who, “released a few drops of hydrochloric acid onto a piece of manganese dioxide in his lab, and a greenish-yellow gas was produced in a matter of seconds…” (Alchin, Linda. “The Element Chlorine.” What Is Chlorine?, www.elementalmatter.info/element-chlorine.htm.). Before Sir Humphry Davy, people thought that Chlorine was a form of oxygen. Sir Humphry Davy later proved otherwise. Although this element was never thought to be used this way, in World War I Chlorine was used as a “choking agent”. Men would suffer
The perceived threat of small arms incidents dramatically increased following the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, where terrorists used multiple strategies of attack (including automatic weapons), roamed across the city, and remained active for several days. Although the 172 killed and 304 injured are not reported to have been medical personnel, civilians and security forces were killed. This generated worldwide media attention and international fear of repeated ‘Mumbai-style’ attacks.
Throughout the last couple decades, terrorism has become a prominent issue. With the emergence of major terrorist groups stirring up trouble, such as in the Middle East, many people live in fear of these emerging threats. Throughout Vietnam’s long history, there have been many cases of terrorism. During the Vietnam War, the US and other western nations committed many atrocious acts of terror against the Vietnamese population. In 1968, one of the worst acts of terrorism, the My Lai Massacre, occurred in Vietnam. This atrocious act was committed by the US. According to one American soldier during the Vietnam War, “In the ambushes we killed anything or anybody and a lot of those were VC.” The soldier continued on to say, “We used claymores on any people, on a boat that passed… snipers were the worst killers who were responsible for at least 600 murders per month…” After the Vietnam war, a new terrorist group emerged from the old South Vietnamese group, called the Free Vietnam Revolutionary Group whose primary goal was to target Vietnamese embassies. However, high levels of security allowed Vietnamese ambassadors to survive and prevented casualty occurrences. In 2015, terrorism or terror-related activities were the 6th and 7th top Google searches in Vietnam, indicating the general population’s concern on the effects of terrorism. Vietnam realizes the impact of terrorism and the threat it poses to the world.
Throughout history different terrorist groups have used a variety of methods to attack innocent civilians and infrastructures. Groups such as Aum Shinirikyo, Al Qaeda, ISIS, and other domestic terrorists have been known to attack innocent communities by using IEDs, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. Attacks, such as the Sarin Attack in Tokyo in 1995, is a prime example in which a terrorist group, Aum Shinirikyo, used a chemical nerve agent to attack citizens in Japanese subway. These chemical attacks as well as other WMDs pose unique threats for first responders. It is important to consider these threats as well as the time, location, number of anticipated causalities, and the type of chemical agent used when responding to a chemical attack. It is the responsibility of officials on a local, state, and federal level to facilitate not only the initial response in a chemical attack but also the recovery and cleanup efforts weeks after.
The fact that we cannot use chemical weapons is a very bad thing. We could have used these weapons in the Vietnam War. With all the tall grass and dense forests, our soldiers were not prepared for the close up combat. If we had used the chemical agents in that forest, we could have eliminated hidden enemy forces and we would have saved many American soldiers’ lives.
Laqueur sheds enlightenment into a new arena for terrorism: Arms of Mass Destruction. The chemical and biological weapons of yesterday are available and relatively cheap on today’s open market. Mr. Laqueur goes into depth on previous usages by terrorist organizations using these types of weapons as well as the