Your (Un)Friendly Terrorist: Who's Got What?
Dear Family and Friends,
The following chart is the most current information available
at the writing of this article. As your can see, the world is
full of potential, uh, challenges and some weapons are in the
hands of the most unstable countries.
COUNTRIES WHO ARE CONFIRMED TO HAVE, ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
OR LIKELY HAVE THESE WMD
COUNTRY |
NUKE |
BIO |
CHEM |
COUNTRY |
NUKE |
BIO |
CHEM |
Algeria |
-
|
X
|
X
|
Libya |
X
|
X
|
X
|
China |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Laos |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Cuba |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Myanmar |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Egypt |
-
|
X
|
X
|
N. Korea |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Ethiopia |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Pakistan |
X
|
-
|
X
|
France |
X
|
-
|
X
|
Russia |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Germany |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Sudan |
-
|
X
|
X
|
India |
X
|
-
|
X
|
Syria |
-
|
X
|
X
|
Italy |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Taiwan |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Iran |
X
|
X
|
X
|
UK |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Iraq |
-
|
X
|
X
|
US |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Israel |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Vietnam |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Japan |
-
|
-
|
X
|
Yugoslavia |
X
|
-
|
X
|
HOW LUCKY DO YOU FEEL?
The countries above all have missile capabilities, but only the
ones in blue have ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) which have a
range of >3,438 miles (>5,500km). Gold indicates the next countries most likely to acquire ICBMs.
After looking at the vast array of deadly choices, it makes one
feel like Dirty Harry saying, "Do I feel lucky today? Well, do
you?"
MISSILE THREAT
Well over 50 states have been identified by the CIA as suppliers
and sellers of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Russia and China have capabilities to strike at military and civilian targets throughout
the United States, but are relying on mutual deterrents and diplomacy
for protection.
North Korea and probably Iran and Iraq pose ballistic missile threats over the next 15 years. North Korea
has already tested a space launch vehicle, the Taepo Dong-1, which
could theoretically convert into an ICBM capable of delivering
a small biological or chemical weapon to the United States. North
Korea has the ability to test its Taepo Dong-2 with little warning;
this missile may be capable of delivering a nuclear payload to
the United States.
Iran, most analysts believe, will follow North Korea's lead and test
an ICBM capable of delivering a light payload to the U.S. shortly.
Some sources say it was done at the time of the Gulf War.
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL THREAT
Against the backdrop of this increasing missile threat, the proliferation
of biological and chemical weapons takes on more alarming dimensions.
Besides the countries shown above who already have biological
and chemical weapons or who are pursuing same, terrorists like
Usama bin Laden and the Aum Shinrikyo, just to name two, have plenty of capital and an international
network to carry out these goals. Biological and chemical weapons
are easily obtainable as evidenced by Larry Wayne Harris who took
samples from an anthrax-ridden cow carcass and cultured a batch
in 10 days.
We shouldn't forget that biological weapons attacks may be targeted
at agriculture which could wreck economic devastation and as well
as destroy entire food crops - plant and animal.
Biologicals are easily modified. What may work as an antidote
one week may not later on if the bacteria is altered even slightly.
Due to these changes, money must continually be reinvested in
detection, prevention and cures. The anthrax weapon that Russia
has may not be the same as what China, the U.S. or Iran has. These
variables make it difficult to be prepared on all fronts.
Additionally, since biowarfare can legitimately overlap research
and technology, it's harder to monitor. Legitimate research can
be converted into weaponry in the blink of an eye.
Biological warfare is certainly the weapon of choice, since a
terrorist gets the biggest bang for his buck with the smallest
investment. These weapons are cheaper and easier to make than
nuclear or chemical weapons, and they can be equally as devastating.
The U.S. Office of Technology Assessment once estimated that a
small private plane with 220 pounds of anthrax spores flying over
Washington on a clear, windless night, could trail an invisible,
odorless mist that would kill between 1 million and 3 million
people.
Continue
© Text and Graphics, 2001 Stan and Holly Deyo, except where otherwise
noted
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