Several chemical companies have received purchase orders for bulk chemicals and equipment from individuals using fraudulent e-mail accounts in an attempt to pass themselves off as representatives of universities.
Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the national interest in reducing the role of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. Recipients of China’s technology reportedly include Pakistan and countries said by the State Department to have supported terrorism, such as Iran. This CRS Report, updated as warranted, discusses the security problem of China’s role in weapons proliferation and issues related to the U.S. policy response since the mid-1990s. China has taken some steps to mollify U.S. and other foreign concerns about its role in weapons proliferation. Nonetheless, supplies from China have aggravated trends that result in ambiguous technical aid, more indigenous capabilities, longer-range missiles, and secondary (retransferred) proliferation. According to unclassified intelligence reports submitted as required to Congress, China has been a “key supplier” of technology, particularly PRC entities providing nuclear and missile-related technology to Pakistan and missile-related technology to Iran.
The mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes acting as a focal point regarding natural and manmade crises and emergency planning. In support of the Department’s mission, the primary mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. Consistent with these missions, the Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex to the National Response Framework (June 2008) sets forth DHS as the coordinating agency for all deliberate attacks involving nuclear/radiological materials, including radiological dispersal devices (RDDs) and improvised nuclear devices (INDs).
Since 10/08/2010, 18 mailings related to an FBI Dallas investigation have been received at schools in Houston, TX and Washington, DC; bringing the total number of letters to well over 200. Envelopes received since 10/08/2010 contain a powder and a letter stating, “Al Qaeda FBI in U.S.A.” All of the envelopes are postmarked out of Texas.
An article in the second issue of the English-language jihadist magazine “Inspire” emphasizes the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD); however the article did not provide specific instructions. In the article entitled “Tips for Our Brothers in the United Snakes of America,” the author encourages those with microbiology and chemistry degrees to develop biological or chemical toxins such as botulism, ricin, or cyanide. WMD was referred to as the “next stage… [in] the war with America.” It is also stated in the article that upcoming issues of “Inspire” will cover WMD in greater detail.
The FBI has identified a trend of suspicious purchases or attempted purchases of large amounts of silver nitrate and potassium iodide for unknown purposes by individuals masquerading as legitimate businesses. Although silver nitrate could be used in the synthesis of primary explosive material, neither chemical is associated with any known chemical or biological weapon production. It is unknown if the purchases of these chemicals are being used for non-legitimate purposes
California Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Awareness for Security Professionals Course Workbook and Guide, 2005.
Assessment (including the WMD CST), Intelligence, Information Operations, Communications, Critical infrastructure (physical and cyber) survey and protection, Engineering, Logistics, Security forces (air and ground), Aviation, Emergency medical treatment, triage and stabilization, Casualty decontamination operations, Operations in a Contaminated CBRNE environment, SAR, Additional forces