Strategic Assessment

The fear of convergence of the two extremes of asymmetrical warfare – terrorism and non-conventional weapons – existed well before precautions against mega-terror rose to the top of the international agenda. In recent years the threat of non-conventional terror has grown to become the gravest aspect of non-conventional weapons proliferation. The usual estimate of the threat balances the frequency of spectacular attacks, the declared intentions of terrorists to implement a non-conventional option, and the access to materials that will permit the construction of chemical, biological, or nuclear devices. Yet the focus on these factors often marginalizes an additional important element of the threat potential – the rationale behind the activities of terrorist organizations, including those who are regarded as the prime candidates for using non-conventional weapons.