Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Webliography

Arms Control. (2003). National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. Retrieved from: https://www.armscontrol.org/print/1184

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The site addresses the six-page national strategy to combat weapons of mass destruction that President George Bush signed in September of 2002. There had been escalating tensions in North Korea and Iraq, and President Bush released plans to help protect against and respond to the rise in chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. The policy to date still informs decisions regarding response to weapons of mass destruction. The practical strategies for combating weapons of mass destruction include a critical component of the United States National Security Strategy. The highlighted administration approach to deal with weapons is based on three pillars including; non-proliferation, counter-proliferation and consequence management. The United States is devoted to preventing and responding to the utilization of weapons of mass destruction by other terrorist or countries. This source also includes information regarding integrating the three pillars. Strategies mentioned for implementation include improved analysis and collection of intelligence through reinforcing law enforcement, military agencies and cooperating with allies and friends. The second strategy is development and research especially of cutting edge technology which can detect, defeat and mitigate the consequence of the weapons of destruction. The third strategy is strengthening international cooperation since threats are not just towards the United States but also to their allies in the broader international community. The last mentioned strategy is against proliferants who are the suppliers and terrorist groups who seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction. Overall this source offers adequate information about the national strategy to combat the destruction of the weapons and it calls or the executive branch, national, state and local governments, United States allies and the public to get involved in the detection, reporting deterrence and responding to threats of weapons of mass destruction. It also suggests that the national fight against weapons of mass destruction involve taking advantage of available opportunities such as the application of new technologies, reinforcing of alliance relationships and increased emphasis on intelligence analysis and collection.

Department of Homeland Security. (2018). Weapons of Mass Destruction. Retrieved from: https://www.dhs.gov/topic/weapons-mass-destruction

This source looks into weapons of mass destruction, the threats they pose to the United States and the efforts of homeland security is working on to prevent terrorists and other threat elements from using the weapons of mass destruction to harm the citizens. It analyses the current defenses of the nation and focuses on measures for strengthening these defenses as homeland security looks into ways to stay ahead of the threats. Homeland security is researching to construct new equipment that can assist in capturing smuggled weapons or explosive material at international borders. It highlights that through careful coordination with officials at all government levels there will be an increase in prevention and defense capabilities of personnel in public safety across the nation. The department has sought to accomplish all that through training exercise and supporting operational partners. The department additionally, works to reinforce the ability of the nation to gather and analyze forensic evidence from weapons of mass destruction attacks to recognize the perpetrators. The source offers links for additional information on weapons of mass destruction updates and news.

FBI. (2018). What we investigate: Weapons of mass destruction. Retrieved from: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/wmd

This source looks into a directorate crafted by the FBI on weapons of mass destruction. FBI built a coordinated and a cohesive approach to incidents related to biological, chemical, nuclear or radiological material with a focus on prevention. The directory relies on intelligence in order to drive countermeasures, preparedness and investigation meant to keep weapons of mass destruction from affecting American citizens. The source defines weapons of mass destruction in four ways. One as explosives or poison gas in the form of a grenade, a bomb, missile or a rocket containing explosives, a mine or a device with explosive material. Second, they are weapons designed to cause death or severe body injuries through the dissemination or impact of poisonous chemicals. Third as any weapon that deals with a disease organism and forth as any weapon designed to release radioactivity or radiation at levels fatal to human beings. The nature of the threat is highlighted to emanate from the evolving weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorism, inside the operations of the FBI, weapons of mass destruction directorate ensure that plans are set for anticipation, mitigation and response to weapons of mass destruction threats. The weapons of mass destruction program in the United States had evolved since 1996 when Congress passed defense against the act on weapons of mass destruction where FBI was set as one of the essential national agencies to partner with other agencies to work towards protecting the nation from weapons of mass destruction attacks. Attacks from 9/11 and anthrax attacks caused the FBI to evolve to enable them to better deal with such threats. The directorate was its presentation of evolvement. The source offers security awareness videos that offer realistic scenarios which emphasize the need for awareness and reporting suspicious activity to the authorities. Additionally, there is a video on laboratory security awareness through chemical indicators it is also meant to create awareness. The source also offers links to sites for recent news regarding weapons of mass destruction.

HGExperts.com. (2018). WMD law- weapons of mass destruction law. Retrieved from: https://www.hg.org/weapons-mass-destruction.html

The source discusses the laws against weapons of mass destruction and highlights that they are created through international agreements and treaties and generally enforced through organizations such as the United Nations and the military agencies of specific nations. The National Government also develops the laws. The second topic discussed is the definition of weapons of mass destruction, and it suggests that they are the devices that can impact immense destruction especially when deployed in a way intended to destroy huge populations. Weapons of mass destruction include radiological or nuclear devices, high impact explosives, biological or chemical weapons. Nuclear technology and treaties are discussed. International treaties govern the use and development of weapons of mass destruction, but we have some countries that are not a party to this treaties. Some of the treaties include the Outer Space Treaty, the Biological and Toxin Weapon Convention, the Partial Test Ban Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Interesting to note is the fact that to date that only the United States has used nuclear weapons in war during the Second World War. Other nations such as North Korea, the United States, India, China, Russia, and Pakistan have declared possession of nuclear weapons. Enforcement of the treaties is done by organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Association, the United Nations and country's military and economic might. The source concludes by looking into terrorism specifically how the federal government has developed a legal structure that criminalizes the assembly or possession of weapons of mass destruction by the public. The laws are put in place to curtail domestic terrorism by making it hard to construct or obtain weapons of mass destruction.

National Threat Initiative. (2018). NTI/Scientific American release "weapons of mass destruction" survey key findings. https://www.nti.org/newsroom/news/weapons-mass-destruction-survey-findings/

This source is a survey done by the Nuclear Energy Initiative and by Scientific American in New York and Washington DC. The results indicated that three fourths (seventy-six percent) of Americans are afraid of a possible attack by weapons of mass destruction as was the case in 9/11 and less than half (forty-seven percent) have confidence in the government's efforts and initiatives to protect the country sufficiently. The survey showed that Hispanic and African Americans felt more vulnerable and less confident in the government efforts than white people. The questions queried included opinions on threats on national safety including weapons of mass destruction and individual freedom. In addition to survey offers of the public of future attacks and regarding the government's efforts to curb weapons of mass destruction it offers statistics of public opinions of areas where we are mainly vulnerable to attacks. The president of NTI is quoted saying that finding the correct balance between freedom and security depends on realizing both security and civil liberties proponent are not antagonists but are partners who are looking to achieve mutual goals. The NTI's Chief Operating Officer is as well quoted he says that "The country's best hope is to find the correct balance rather than the right answer. The correct balance will be achieved when action is built on a clear understanding of the threats." The source added, offers an in-depth look into the NTIS website which shows it has the resources on the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction as well as an exclusive daily news service with upcoming summary and reporting of daily international news on weapons of mass destruction

Physicians for social responsibility. (2018). Public Health Interventions for U. S. Nuclear Weapons Policy. Retrieved from: https://www,psr.org/issues/nuclear-weapons-abolition/us-nuclear-weapons-policy/

This source discusses the numerous concerns from physicians and health professionals who are alarmed by the threat to health posed by the plan to construct new nuclear weapons by the United States. It looks into policy disobey by the United States under demilitarization requirements under 'Article IV of the Non-proliferation treaty' where they are obliged legally to get rid of their nuclear resources. Instead of reducing theirs they have a plan underlaps to rebuild their programs for nuclear programs. The United States intends to spend at least one trillion to upgrade its nuclear arsenal by investing in improvement to the existing weapons. The source highlights the expected nuclear weaponry updates; "A new fleet of missile submarines, replacements or upgrades of current bombers in addition to a new bomber fleet, a new ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and a new fleet of a long-range stand of missiles." The United States in the build-up of their nuclear arsenal they plan to produce new 'low yield' nuclear weapons with military situations. The source mentions scientific data that the usage of 'low yield' nuclear weapons in warfare can have devastating humanitarian impacts, climatic consequences such as the disruption of agricultural production, and conflict escalation. National security experts and health professionals are against the build-up of the United States nuclear weaponry as they may lead to an increase in risks and destabilization. The source calls for the protection of public health and offers ways for the public to take action and halt the United States build-up of their nuclear arsenal.

Steve. E. (2018). HLS 101 - weapons of mass destruction (WMD): Types of weapons of mass destruction. EKU Online: Homeland Security. Retrieved from: https://hlsonline.eku.edu...