Accession Number:

ADA516641

Title:

Radiological Events in the Homeland

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV WASHINGTON DC INST FOR NATIONAL STRATEGIC STUDIES

Personal Author(s):

• Brown, James B.
• Coble, Russell E.
• Chase, Emery J.

Report Date:

2008-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

6.0

Abstract:

The leadership of al Qaeda has issued fatwas justifying the use of nuclear weapons to bring destruction to the American homeland, and its campaign to recruit those who have expertise and access to radiological weapons is underpinned by ample resources. This reality, combined with the diffusion and increasing amount of radiological materials in the world, creates the fear that the Nation has a radiological rendezvous in its future. Government at all levels is working to anticipate, deter, detect, and defeat this threat. But what if the enemy is successful When the baby boomers were children, they passed signs every day for fallout shelters and stocks of water and food to be used in the event of a nuclear attack. While we may not need such drastic measures at present, we should take steps to prepare for a radiological event in the homeland. We need to relearn what we knew during the Cold War. We need to reacquaint ourselves with the radiological effects that could occur and how to mitigate the threat.

Descriptors:

• *RADIOLOGICAL WARFARE
• *HOMELAND DEFENSE
• REPRINTS
• WATER
• THREAT EVALUATION
• FOOD
• RADIATION EFFECTS
• FALLOUT SHELTERS
• NUCLEAR WEAPONS
• NUCLEAR WARFARE
• FEAR

Subject Categories:

• Civil Defense
• Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE