Details:

Creators:
Rabkin, Norman J.
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Biological Materials Chemical Agents Financing National Security Nuclear Explosions Radiation Hazards Resource Allocation Risk Assessment Strategic Planning Terrorism Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Publication/ Report Number:
GAO/T-NSIAD-00-218
Resource Type:
Research Paper
Geographical Coverage:
United States
Corporate Publisher:
United States. General Accounting Office
Abstract:
This is the statement of Norman J. Rabkin, Director, National Security Preparedness Issues, National Security and International Affairs division before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives regarding terrorism. The testimony highlights important information on the threat, focusing specifically on the threat of terrorist attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) materials. The second issue discussed is the need to use threat and risk assessments to help develop a national strategy and help prioritize and focus program investments to combat terrorism. Finally, observations are offered on how other countries allocate resources and determine funding priorities to combat terrorism. In summary, the first step in developing sound programs to combat terrorism is to develop a thorough understanding of the terrorist threat. Some of the public statements intelligence community officials have made about the terrorist CBRN threat do not include important qualifications to the information they present. The second step in developing sound programs is to conduct a threat and risk assessment that can be used to develop a strategy and guide resource investments. Much of the federal efforts to combat terrorism have been based upon vulnerabilities rather than an analysis of credible threats. An April 2000 Government Accounting Office (GAO) report discusses how five countries are organized to combat terrorism. This report notes that because of limited resources, the countries make funding decisions for programs to combat terrorism on the basis of the likelihood of terrorist activity actually taking place, not the countries' overall vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:d5e559998ae17e9fc0641a21ee6c0e5583f6d55fb3017b98e1040a755627bed6
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/14621/dot_14621_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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