Problem:
Evaluating the Chemical Weapon Threat: Patterns of Procurement and Effects on U. S. Security in the Aftermath of Recent World Events" Chemical warfare is significant threat to many nations, including the United States. These weapons are capable of inflicting harm and terror upon civilians. Terrorist groups and dishonest states pose the greatest chemical weapon threat to the United States. The means by which these parties obtain chemical weapons, and the potential consequence of their application is important for enhancing both national security and public health. One of the problems with chemical weapons is that they are sometimes relatively simple to make and to get. Plenty of detrimental chemicals are already deployed in agriculture and industry. For example, several pesticides can be repurposed as chemical weapons, allowing non -state actors to have confidence in their own weapons without requiring incredibly advanced know-how. The National Academies of Sciences (2018) emphasized this issue and mentioned that limiting access to precursors is crucial to decrease the risks of improvised weapons. That means countries need stronger controls to make sure these chemicals don't fall into the wrong hands. Recent events in Syria illustrate how deadly chemical weapons can be. The Syrian government has faced accusations of poisoning its own people during the civil war. These attacks have provoked international outrage and demonstrated that chemical weapons can be employed to intimidate the domestic population and control the narrative in a conflict. The consequences of these incidents extend beyond immediate injuries; communities that suffer these types of attacks are also prone to long-term health issues and psychological trauma. The present challenge highlights the current hostility being faced by the international community not just for those in the line of fire but also for global public health at large (Ahmed and Diab al Azzawi, 2024).
The problem with chemical weapons is not just in some over their war that is not local. In 2018, the United Kingdom was seriously endangered when a former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, was poisoned with the infamous nerve agent Novichok. The episode demonstrated that even the most sophisticated countries could be susceptible to chemical attacks -- especially when they come from belligerent states. These incidents strike fear and contribute to a climate of fear that attacks like this happen on American soil. And the ability to readily obtain chemicals can be made more problematic online, where at times recipes and directions for making the weapons have been shared freely. Bad actors, including terrorists, can easily be taught to produce and use these materials with relatively small monetary resources. That access amplifies the message of Darling and Noste (2015) about the danger of biological and chemical threats that could result from the simple access to information on the internet and increase the number of potential threats worldwide. Considering how these threats could be acquired, the probable consequences of a chemical attack in the United States are devastating. Terrorists would also cause panic and devastation by using chemical weapons in a crowded area. Hospitals would soon be overwhelmed, and emergency services would struggle to respond effectively. - If the subsequent effects would result in a longer-term crisis, such as stressing healthcare systems, and creating a general fear among the population.
The emotional fallout from a chemical attack could also have long-term effects. People will fear getting out in the streets or attending great functions for fear of attack. This doesn't just alter individual behaviors, but it can alter the way society functions. Heavy security can be imposed, that will infringe on peoples' individual rights and change the nature or quality of everyday life as people go about their business. In the end, chemical weapons are a realistic risk and an import one, particularly for a country like the US. With recent cases like Syria - and the UK and potential Ukraine threats - it's clear more planning and complete prevention needs to take place. Dealing with this danger demands more than improved chemical controls; it requires a commitment to public health and safety. International cooperation and world peace treaties will be crucial to prevent the proliferation of these lethal weapons and to safeguard communities from exposure to a chemical attack, thus, to ensure a safer future for all. Need Assignment Help?
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