Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

Chapter 4.
The Global Challenge of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or
Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism
Nonproliferation efforts have been a top U.S. national security priority for decades – reducing
the amount of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) material produced and
stored by states; restricting the diversion of materials and expertise for illicit use; and preventing
the trafficking of CBRN weapons and related material. Yet CBRN materials and expertise
remain a significant terrorist threat as evidenced by: terrorists’ stated intent to acquire and use
these materials; the nature of injury and damage these weapons can inflict; the ease with which
information on these topics now flows; and the dual-use nature of many relevant technologies
and material. While efforts to secure CBRN material across the globe have been largely
successful, the illicit trafficking of these materials persists, including instances involving highly
enriched uranium in 2010 and 2011. These examples suggest that caches of dangerous material
may exist on the black market and that we must complement our efforts to consolidate CBRN
materials and secure facilities with broader efforts to detect, investigate, and secure CBRN
materials that have fallen outside of regulatory control. We must remain vigilant if we hope to
prevent terrorist groups from obtaining the means and methods for obtaining CBRN weapons.
A number of international partnerships have either the explicit or the implicit purpose to combat
the CBRN threat from terrorists. Organizations and initiatives concerned with chemical and
biological weapons use international conventions and regulations to reduce stockpiles of
material, regulate the acquisition of dual-use technology, and regulate trade of specific goods.
Nuclear and radiological initiatives and programs focus on promoting peaceful uses of nuclear
material and energy, safeguarding against diversion, and countering the smuggling of radioactive
and nuclear material. The United States also provides technical and financial assistance to ensure
that partner nations have the ability to adequately protect and secure CBRN-applicable expertise,
technologies, and material. U. S. participation within, and contribution to these groups, is vital to
ensure our continued safety from the CBRN threat.
The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI): Launched in 2003, the PSI has increased
international capability to address the challenges associated with stopping the trafficking of
weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their related components, and their means of delivery. The
PSI remains an important tool in the global effort to combat CBRN material transfers to both
state and non-state actors of proliferation concern. As of December 31, 2012, 102 states have
endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles, by which states commit to take specific
actions in support of efforts to halt the trafficking of WMD and related materials. In 2012, PSI
participants engaged in the following activities:
U.S. Africa Command-sponsored maritime security Exercise Phoenix Express.
U.S. Africa Command-sponsored maritime security Exercise Saharan Express.
U.S. Southern Command-sponsored Panama Canal security exercise PANAMAX.
Bilateral Air Interdiction tabletop exercise with the United States and Panama in Panama
City.
Germany hosted a PSI outreach workshop in Frankfurt.
Poland hosted a Critical Capabilities and Practices Workshop in Warsaw.
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