A Continuing Threat


While the ability of Al Qaeda to obtain and deploy weapons of mass destruction has diminished, other groups are eager to take up the charge.


“If we know their interest is growing and we know the capacity to fabricate a weapon is equally growing, at some point those two lines intersect.”


Brian Finlay, Henry L. Stimson Center


Many terrorist groups beyond the weakened Al Qaeda Central are seeking weapons of mass destruction. The Al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen, for example, has made it clear that it intends to obtain a biological or chemical weapon. At the same time, globalization is making it much easier to obtain or build a weapon. The detonation of a chemical or biological weapon remains highly probable, providing strong cause to be prepared for an attack.


Copyright © 2012 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise.


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