The CBRN Threat. Perspective of an Interagency Response

Current scenarios reveal new types of ever increasing dynamic and aggressive threats, which lead to a move from a traditional security management to a strategic vision for protecting citizens and assets in a more comprehensive way. In such an environment, the risk related to incidents involving the use of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) agents must be considered a cause of potentially devastating consequences. Non-proliferation and disarmament operations can make an essential contribution to combat terrorism by preventing or reducing the access of non-state actors or non-authorised persons to chemicals, biological and nuclear dual-use materials but this could be not enough. Illicit proliferation of chemical weapons, clandestine production of toxins and biological agents, ‘dirty bombs’ and trafficking of fissile material are just some examples of the use of CBRN agents for terrorist purposes. This chapter argues that, in order to address these issues, the integration of human, instrumental, technological and financial resources should be improved and reinforced. For that purpose, an effective strategy to mitigate and reduce the risk of using CBRN materials requires a high level of coordination across national agencies. Further development of interagency CBRN defence capabilities remains a top priority for global security.