Comprehensive Guide to Terrorism, WMDs, and Global Security Challenges

What event occurred on September 11, 2001?

The deadliest terrorist attack on US soil, carried out by al-Qaeda.

Who was the leader of al-Qaeda during the September 11 attacks?

Osama Bin Laden.

How many hijackers were involved in the September 11 attacks?

19 hijackers.

What were the targets of the September 11 attacks?

The North and South Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

What happened to the fourth plane involved in the September 11 attacks?

It crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control.

How many individuals died in New York during the September 11 attacks?

2,750 individuals.

What was declared by the United States on September 12, 2001?

A War on Terror.

What was the goal of the War on Terror in Afghanistan?

To oust the Taliban from the government.

What was the reason for the War on Terror in Iraq?

Saddam Hussein was stockpiling and manufacturing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

What are the two types of security challenges posed by terrorism?

Traditional security (national security at risk) and human security (lives lost and affected).

What are common characteristics of terrorism?

Violence is political, attacks target civilians/non-combatants, and are justified by the belief in beneficial political transformation.

Who helped Pakistan develop nuclear weapons?

A.Q. Khan.

What was the first nuclear weapon created during?

The United States' Manhattan Project during World War II.

What does MAD stand for in the context of nuclear weapons?

Mutually Assured Destruction.

What are examples of conventional weapons?

Tanks, combat helicopters, fighter jets, machine guns, pistols, rifles, and grenade launchers.

What does proliferation refer to in the context of weapons?

A rapid spread or increase of weapons.

What are the two types of proliferation discussed?

Vertical proliferation (buildup by individual states) and horizontal proliferation (spread across state borders).

What are chemical weapons designed to do?

Spread poisons that incapacitate, injure, or kill through toxic effects.

What is a common example of a biological weapon?

Anthrax.

What treaty was adopted on July 7, 2012, regarding nuclear weapons?

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

How many countries currently possess nuclear arsenals?

Nine countries.

What is the main route for the horizontal proliferation of conventional weapons?

Through arms sales in the international arms market.

What was the value of arms deals completed worldwide in 2018?

420 billion.

What is a significant international threat related to weapons of mass destruction?

The spread of chemical and biological weapons.

What is a growing concern regarding terrorism and weapons of mass destruction?

The potential for terrorist organizations to use WMDs in future attacks.