Weapons of Mass Destruction and the New Terrorism

Weapons of Mass Destruction and The New Terrorism
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Institutional Affiliations
Course Name and Number
Due Date
Weapons of Mass Destruction and The New Terrorism
Non-State Actors’ Willingness and Ability to Use WMD
Global nations have made significant advancements in deterring Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) becoming easily accessible by non-state actors. These efforts have reduced the threats of attacks, improving global health security. Despite achieving these milestones, Reynolds (2020) warns that no place has achieved absolute safety from the ever-looming WMD threats. The author acknowledges that non-state actors, including international and domestic terrorists, present a real threat due to their ongoing access to advanced education and technologies. Hummel and Burpo (2020) also support this observation by stating that small groups have increasing access to big weapons despite decades of collaboration between international bodies to prevent such a situation. Thus, the availability of know-how and technologies confirms the ability of non-state actors to design and willingly deploy WMD to further their diverse agendas.
The worrying issue facing many nations, including the United States, is that small terrorist groups have unfettered access to sophisticated technology and WMD knowledge. Hummel and Burpo (2020) identify specific technologies that present an increasing threat because their access is an enabler for the non-state actors and their ability to create diverse weapons. For instance, the author highlights synthetic biology, additive manufacturing, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as the leading causes of concern in the fight against WMD attacks by non-state actors (Hummel & Burpo, 2020). Although these advancements have transformed the world through associated development, including improving security surveillance, they also present a danger of misuse by violent non-state actors. Trends demonstrate that the ease of access to these technologies continues to equip terrorist groups and increase their ability to design and launch WMD attacks. As a result, Reynolds (2020) agrees that terrorists present emerging threats as they exploit existing technological improvements. Such aspects illustrate the worrying nexus between WMD attacks and emerging technologies.
Notable incidents confirm the willingness and ability of non-state actors to deploy WMD as a tool for advancing their agenda. Reynolds (2020) indicates that in the last three decades, terrorists have demonstrated their continued determination to execute WMD attacks in different global areas. For instance, in 1994, a chemical attack resulted in the mortality of eight individuals and the hospitalization of approximately 200 others in Matsumoto, Japan. Many other chemical attacks have occurred, including the Sarin one in Tokyo in 1995, the United States Anthrax release in 2001, gas in Khan al-Assal, Syria, in 2013, and the 2017 nerve gas strike in Khan Sheikhoun killing over 90 individuals (Reynolds, 2020). Other attacks were explosive and radiological. These events demonstrate that non-state actors remain willing to execute attacks for diverse purposes, including economic, religious, or political reasons. The awareness of these motivations reveals why attacks continue to occur despite the robust global measures to eradicate WMD threats.
Facts demonstrate that non-state actors are willing and have the capacity to execute attacks using WMD. As a result, nations must maintain their vigilance to deter these small local and international groups from achieving their malicious objectives. This confirmation that they exploit existing technologies and knowledge to further their political, religious, or economic agenda highlights the need for international bodies to tighten their measures and ensure these outfits do not gain access to inventions that further their terroristic practices. In this context, collaboration between nations, global bodies, and non-violent state actors will be fundamental to deter the ambitions and capabilities of violent state actors in the fight against WMDs.
CBRN WMD Agent Effect on a Projected Target Population
State and non-state actors have used diverse Chemical weapons of mass destruction in diverse incidences motivated by political, economic, or religious reasons. Among the many agents employed as a WMD is the nerve agent VX, which has demonstrated its ability to cause fatal effects on a target population. Yagmuroglu and Subasi (2020) classify this weapon as a V nerve agent and describe it as an odorless and colorless substance with fast-occurring effects between 1-2 minutes after exposure. Unlike many other nerve agents, VX has unique properties, including low volatility to prevent fast evaporation and low freezing temperature, and can induce impact even in negligible quantities (Yagmuroglu & Subasi, 2020). Stojiljković (2019) recognizes its highly lethal effect, marking it as an extremely dangerous WMD. Thus, if projected on a political gathering by a terrorist, VX would trigger nicotinic, muscarinic, and central health complications with increased mortality potential.
Continued exposure to VX stimulates nicotinic receptors in individuals, triggering diverse symptoms. For instance, Stojiljković (2019) indicates that this process causes fasciculation of skeletal muscles, triggering respiratory complications. In this context, the affected population suffers from interrupted muscle and gland functioning through the disruptive properties of the active compounds of VX. Thus, their muscles start to tighten intensely, making breathing difficult. Such a symptom was evident in the assassination incident of Kim Jong Nam in 2017 in Malaysia (Stojiljković, 2019). Interruption of the sympathetic ganglia also triggers tachycardia and hypertension, demonstrating the lethality of this nerve agent. Such symptoms indicate that surrounding healthcare facilities would experience a surge in demand for emergency resuscitation services. Thus, the attack with VX has complex health ramifications on a targeted population.
The capacity to weaponize VX and deploy it as aerosol or droplets in a crowded environment makes it a threat of concern in political gatherings. Stojiljković (2019) reveals that exposure to this chemical nerve agent can cause sudden muscarinic ramifications characterized by compromised eye accommodation, leading to dim vision. Yagmuroglu and Subasi (2020) note that they are absorbed through different contact areas, including the eye membranes and skin, or when inhaled. As a result, victims also present with bronchoconstriction, hypersalivation, diarrhea, vomiting, bradycardia, and hypotension. Such visible symptoms can cause panic in a gathering, increasing agent spread to other individuals.
VX also triggers central effects on the exposed population. Stojiljković (2019) indicates vertigo, headache, convulsions, and vomiting. The author notes that these complications arise from muscarinic stimulation and interference of the brain’s nicotinic receptors. The mechanisms involved in this process are complex and subtle, making it critical for victims to receive immediate intervention to prevent death. However, Stojiljković (2019) demonstrates that besides these effects, the chemical also triggers other secondary stimulation of different brain structures, including opioidergic and tamatergic areas. In other instances, exposure to higher volumes of the VX agent can conceal some identifying signs, making it challenging for healthcare providers to apply appropriate antidotes on time. As a result, such individuals succumb to the nerve agent. These complications highlight the possible effects that a political gathering population would experience if attacked using VX.
Probable effects of VX use as a WMD on a particular population demonstrate diverse consequences on the health of the victims. Individuals would suffer from presentation in three categories, including nicotinic, muscarinic, and central health complications. Combining these symptoms confirms the mortality and morbidity potential arising from the VX attack. Thus, this weapon has far-reaching consequences on the health of any population due to its lethality.
The Potential Impact of a Strategic Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon and U.S. Ability to Defend Against and Recover from This T...