| General description
Q: What are weapons of mass destruction?
A: Some of the weapons used by terrorists are
known as weapons of mass destruction, because they have the potential
to cause great harm over a large area.
Q: What weapons of mass destruction can terrorists use?
A: Terrorist attacks can take several
forms, depending on the technological means available to the terrorist,
the nature of the political issue motivating the attack, and the points
of weakness of the terrorist's target.
The range
of weapons a terrorist might use includes:
- Biological -- disease-causing organisms.
- Nuclear
-- dangerous radiation or radioactivity.
- Incendiary -- firebombs.
- Chemical
-- poisonous compounds.
- Explosive
-- bombs, grenades, rockets, missiles, mines or similar devices.
Q: What weapons of mass destruction have terrorists used?
A: Bombings are the most frequently used terrorist method
in the U.S. Some chemical and biological agents have been used against
civilians by terrorists.
Q: What potential harm do weapons of mass destruction carry?
A: These weapons may cause mass casualties
or they may disrupt the economy causing mass hysteria and hardship.
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Biological agents >>
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