Accession Number:

ADA326915

Title:

Counterterrorism: A National Security Priority for the 21st Century.

Descriptive Note:

Research rept.,

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Davis, Edwin F., Jr

Report Date:

1997-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

36.0

Abstract:

As the 20th century draws to a close, the United States has emerged as the worlds only superpower. International terrorism is increasing. No other country possesses the wherewithal to challenge the United States on the conventional battlefield. For many countries whose ambitions counter to the U.S.s national interests, terrorism is an attractive option. More concerting is the increasing availability of weapons of mass destruction to rogue nations and radical terrorist organizations. They now pose a formidable threat. This paper discussed the evolution of international terrorism and the frightening proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Furthermore it analyzes our national security and military strategy for combating terrorism. This paper concludes that terrorism has the potential to catastrophically impact on the American way of life. Therefore, counterterrorism must become a national security priority for the 21st century.

Descriptors:

• *THREAT EVALUATION
• *MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS
• *COUNTERTERRORISM
• NUCLEAR WARFARE
• MILITARY STRATEGY
• NATIONAL SECURITY
• INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
• BIOLOGICAL WARFARE
• TERRORISM
• CIVIL DISTURBANCES

Subject Categories:

• Unconventional Warfare
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare
• Nuclear Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE