Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

provided equipment and training to develop the ability to detect, deter, and interdict illicit
smuggling of radioactive and nuclear materials, WMD components, and other weapons-related
items at ports of entry and across borders. In 2012, EXBS conducted 98 bilateral and regional
training activities, and delivered detection and identification equipment to bolster border security
in 27 countries. EXBS works in harmony with, and complements, the Department of Homeland
Security Container Security Initiative, the Department of Energy International Nonproliferation
Export Control Program, the Second Line of Defense Program, the Megaports Initiative, and
other international donor assistance programs. EXBS programs improve the ability of partner
nations to combat WMD proliferation threats and fulfill important U.S. and international
commitments, including UNSCR 1540, the Proliferation Security Initiative, and the Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.
Second Line of Defense (SLD): Under its SLD Program, the Department of Energy’s National
Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) cooperates with partner countries to provide
radiation detection systems and associated training to enhance their capabilities to deter, detect,
and interdict illicit trafficking of special nuclear and radiological materials across international
borders. The SLD Program provides mobile radiological detection equipment to selected
countries for use at land borders and internal checkpoints and includes two components: the Core
Program and the Megaports Initiative. The Core Program began with work in Russia, and has
since expanded to include former Soviet states in the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and other key
regions, providing equipment for land border crossings, feeder seaports, and international
airports.
Global Threat Reduction (GTR): GTR programs work to prevent terrorists from acquiring
CBRN expertise, materials, and technology across the globe. By engaging scientists, technicians,
and engineers with CBRN expertise, GTR seeks to prevent terrorist access to knowledge,
materials, and technologies that could be used in a CBRN attack against the U.S. homeland. In
2012, GTR was actively engaged in countries and regions where there is a high risk of
proliferation and terrorism. GTR programs have expanded to meet emerging CBRN proliferation
threats worldwide and focus on promoting biological, chemical, and nuclear security in those
countries where there is a high risk of CBRN proliferation.
National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats: In November 2009, President Obama
approved a new national strategy to provide greater policy cohesion and coordination for U.S.
efforts to prevent state or non-state actors from acquiring or using biological weapons. While
efforts to mitigate the consequences of the use of biological weapons are dealt with through other
policy and strategic frameworks, federal agencies have developed detailed implementation plans
and are actively coordinating efforts in support of the Strategy’s seven key objectives:
1. Promote global health security
2. Reinforce norms of safe/responsible conduct
3. Obtain timely/accurate insight on current/emerging risks
4. Take reasonable steps to reduce potential for exploitation
5. Expand our capability to prevent, apprehend and attribute
6. Communicate effectively with all stakeholders
7. Transform international dialogue on biological threats
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