Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Secret Services

Abstract

The threat posed by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons has been growing for years due to technological advances and the changing polit-ical environment. These weapons are attractive to states mainly because of their deterrent value, and non-state actors, especially terrorist groups, may use them causing an enormous psychological impact. The diversity of the threat is increased by the recent and highly unusual trend of attacks by state actors in Europe and Asia using CBRN weapons. How should states deal with this new threat? Does it imply a new set of tasks for CBRN protection?