Evolving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism: Intelligence community response and ethical challenges

This chapter assesses chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats posed by non-state actors. It explores how they have diverged from classical WMD scenarios (that shaped the Cold War) to ones where threat trajectories are less certain due to an increasing number of complex political, social and technological factors. Although state-based CBRN threats remain significant, particularly with the weakening of international nuclear non-proliferation agreements, this chapter argues that a lack of understanding about emerging non-state actor CBRN intent and capability remains more concerning. The chapter also explores key capability and ethical challenges confronting intelligence communities in detecting, preventing and disrupting CBRN non-state actor threats.