Terrorist Innovations in Weapons of Mass Effect: Preconditions, Causes, and Predictive Indicators

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA556986 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Innovation is a constant feature of terrorism, yet little is known about how terrorists innovate, the factors that drive them to innovate, and the indicators that could help predict their trajectory toward innovation. On August 5-6, 2010, experts gathered for a workshop sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Advanced Systems and Concepts Office DTRA-ASCO, to discuss the preconditions, causes, and predictive indicators associated with terrorist innovation in weapons of mass effect WMEs.1 They presented their research findings on seven historical and contemporary cases of terrorist innovation, ranging from airplane hijackings by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine PFLP to the current threat emanating from Al-Qaedas mass casualty attacks. These case studies generated a number of generalizations about what motivates innovation, how terrorists come to innovate, and whether it is possible to anticipate innovations in WME terrorism.

Author(s):
Rasmussen, Maria J. ; Hafez, Mohammed M.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA
Descriptive Note:
Workshop rept.
Pagination:
0211

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
ASCO-2010-019, DTRA-ASCO-2010-019
Contract/Grant Number(s):
MIPR-09-2516M
Monitor Series:
ASCO-2010-019, DTRA/FB
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_7_Protection; JCA_7.1.1_Prevent Kinetic Attack; JCA_7.1_Prevent; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_4.7.2_Installation Services; JCA_4.7_Base and Installations Support; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.3.1_Analyze Problem; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_5.2.2_Develop Knowledge and Situational Awareness; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_5.1_Organize; JCA_5.1.1_Establish and Maintain Unity of Effort with Mission Partners; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management; JCA_1.3.1_Personnel and Family Support; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts
Modernization Areas:
Biotechnology
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
*TERRORISM, CASE STUDIES, HISTORY, MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS, THREATS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Government and Political Science
Report Date:
2010 Oct 01
Creation Date:
2012 Apr 11