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Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons

Reviews and Endorsements

"CBW Terrorism, Deconstructed"
by Dr. Leonard A. Cole, Rutgers University
Read the full review at The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
September/October 2000

Excerpt:
"The book challenges - sometimes inadvertently - widespread assumptions about terrorism, especially when it is associated with chemical and biological weapons (CBW)... The cases are recapitulated in separate chapters by respected experts whose narratives are uniformly thorough and dispassionate. The most compelling virtue of the volume is its sense of balance. While appreciating the real threat of chemical and biological terrorism, the book refrains from warnings of imminent catastrophe. Mercifully absent, for example, is the often-heard but gratuitous pronouncement that a massive CBW terrorist attack is not a matter of if, but when...

"The purpose of reviewing the 12 cases, Tucker explains, is to help understand the motivation for CBW terrorism: 'What types of terrorist groups or individuals are most likely to acquire and use such weapons, and for what purpose?' A worthy inquiry indeed, with the implicit aim of placing such knowledge in the service of deterrence."

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"Terrorists and Toxins"
by John T. Finn, Stanford University
Science Magazine
September 1, 2000

Excerpt:
"Toxic Terror provides a much-needed perspective by examining 12 terrorist groups and individuals that have allegedly acquired or used chemical or biological agents since World War II. Through their case -studies approach, the authors seek to ascertain the who, why, and how of CBT -- the types of people and organizations that have attempted such attacks, their purpose in doing so, and their means of acquiring and delivering toxic agents -- with the aim of contributing to an empirical basis for cost-effective preparedness... The case studies suggest that mass-casualty CBT is unlikely because most terrorists lack the technical know-how to produce and deliver toxic agents on a large scale, although the threat posed by the availability of former Soviet bioweapons scientists should not be understated. Or more immediate concern is the use of toxic agents for small-scale terrorists attacks, such as assassination or food contamination. Toxic Terror also illustrates the importance of surveillance and intelligence in preventing CBT, as intervention by law enforcement foiled several of the plots."

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Security Management: Book Reviews
Jim Murray, First Data Corporation
Read the full review at Security Management
December 2000

Excerpt:
"According to editor Jonathan B. Tucker, much of the discussion on terrorist use of chemical and biological weapons has focused on the vulnerability of large cities, which is virtually limitless, while neglecting a careful analysis of the threat... What emerges as a result of these case studies are some interesting character types and motivational factors that deserve scrutiny. They must be understood if security professionals are ever going to understand what they are up against when faced with chemical and biological terrorism. One of the strengths of this book is its well-thought-out and factual presentation. It is an excellent primer on the psychological makeup of a diverse group of actors who, while having major philosophical differences, retain the common element of using terrorism to further their agendas."

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"Homegrown Toxic Terror"
by James T. Dunne, U.S. Department of State
Foreign Service Journal
October 2000

Excerpt:
"The inherent difficulty in analyzing terrorist acts involving the use of chemical and biological weapons (also known as 'weapons of mass destruction') and coming up with preventive measures is that there have been so few such 'superterrorist' acts to date (fortunately!). For a vareity of reasons, terrorist groups have so far largely avoided such 'unconventional' weaponry in favor of less sophisticated devices such as car bombs.

Any book that offers in-depth analysis of a problem that essentially does not yet exist therefore authomatically merits a degree of admiration.

Writing such a book must be like juggling soap bubbles -- as soon as you get your hand on an essential element, it disappears. Despite these obstacles, Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons succeeds in bringing its elusive subject to life through persuasive case studies fo real or suspected chemical or biological activity...

Which of these cases should cause the greatest concern about unconventional terrorism? The book's answers might not be what you expect. While the diversity of cases makes generalizing difficult, the researchers conclude that the most likely perpetrators of chemical and biological terrorism are not groups with outside constituencies and established support groups, but lone actors and cultish, paranoid, disaffected groups (often with goals that are more apocalyptic than political), whose only audience is themselves. Judging from the incidents described here, these conclusions seem quite reasonable...

By the end of the book, the reader will better understand the relevance of groups ranging from the Weather Underground to the Rajneeshee cult of Oregon, even for a regional security officer protecting a remote U.S. embassy. It is highly recommended for anyone -- professionals and lay people alike -- concerned about our national security."

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