Super Terrorism

Modern terrorism is poised to enter a new dimension-super terrorism-characterised by covert biological, chemical, radiological or nuclear attacks to achieve mass destruction and casualties. The future is likely to witness a growing number of mass-destruction acts carried out by ideologically motivated, loosely organised, terrorist networks that operate independently of state sponsorship and have access to the funding, materials, and technological sophistication. While there is broad convergence on the possible consequences of super terrorism, there is robust disagreement on the kind of investment that should be made in preparedness and response. 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 testimony, speeches and reports of politicians, 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. Included are the statements and assessments of Madeleine Albright, Ken Alibek, Sandy Berger, Richard Clarke, Bill Clinton, Richard Danzig, John Deutch, Pete Domenici, Louis Freeh, Brian Jenkins, Jon Kyl, Joshua Lederberg, Richard Lugar, Mathew Messelson, Sam Nunn, Tara O'Toole, Janet Reno, Michael Sheehan, George Tenet, and Philip Wilcox. In addition, various reports are incorporated including the Baker-Cutler Report, Bremer Commission, Gilmore Commission, Hart-Rudman Commission, and the USS Cole Report.