Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management

Crisis and Emergency Management

Newsletter Website
return to mainpage

February 2004                                                              Volume 6 - Number 1

Related Sites:

Perspectives...

Radical Islamic Terrorists and the Risk They Pose

By D.S. Ostwind

Over the course of history, the United States has faced many threats to its national security and proved time and again its durability and strength in the face of adversity. Having won the Cold War and established diplomatic relations with the world’s leading nations, many believed the strong U.S. economy and unequaled military strength would serve as a deterrent to all future threats. However, while much of the world sought to curry U.S. favor and those who did not tread softly so as not to provoke a military response, radical Islamic groups saw an opportunity and prepared for a holy war.

That Islamic extremist groups pose a threat to the United States is not new. Since the 1940’s, Islamic groups have sought the end of Western Influence in the Middle East and the capitulation of Israel. What is new, however, is the sophistication of current terrorist groups and their ability to acquire and employ weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Unlike the poorly organized extremist groups of the 1970’s, organizations such as Al Qaeda seek to accomplish much more than merely alerting others to their cause. Al Qaeda, the Al-Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade, Hizbolah and others attempt to not only influence world opinion, but to initiate change through their actions. Well supported throughout the Islamic world, Al Qaeda has developed into a multi-million dollar corporation, training and employing thousands in the profession of terrorism, and capable of conducting simultaneous attacks in multiple regions with significant economic and political consequences.

Of significant concern are indications that terrorist groups have left the days of hijacked airliners and conventional bombings behind and begun planning attacks using WMD. Armed with WMD, terrorists now have the ability to bring attention to their cause, instill fear in their enemies and kill many more people than ever before. As the events of September 11^th 2001 demonstrated, even a conventional attack carried out by organized terrorists seeking martyrdom can kill thousands, disrupt the economy and threaten U.S. foreign policy. A similar attack involving a nuclear weapon, a chemical agent sprayed over a metropolitan area, or a smallpox epidemic undoubtedly will result in a far greater loss of life, significantly impact the economy and further entrench the United States in the battle against terrorism .

To nations such as Iran and North Korea, the use of weapons of mass destruction against the United States is an unsavory option as it guarantees certain annihilation by overwhelming military force. To an extreme Islamic terrorist organization operating without a homeland and willing to die for their cause, the employment of WMD guarantees a significant loss of American lives, renewed interest in their organization and a potential change in U.S. foreign policy. Although the United States will undoubtedly face many threats over the next twenty years, few organizations or nations can present as great a risk as that posed by Islamic terrorist organizations armed with weapons of mass destruction.