Aum Shinrikyo provided a wake-up call about the need to reassess where the real security threats lie in the new era. While the congress’ throughout the world plan to use billions of dollars for a “crash program to defend against sophisticated ballistic missiles, terrorist groups have chosen a more prosaic game plan.” Aum Shinri Kyo took advantage of two facts. First of all, the formula for nerve gas and blister agents are well known. Secondly, the ingredients for these weapons are readily available because they can be used to make legitimate everyday products. These circumstances, which bring chemical weapons well within the reach of a terrorist group, also make it very difficult to control the proliferation of chemical weapons.
It is safe to now assume that there has been a breach in the invisible barrier, which has kept terrorists from using chemical weapons in the past. The CIA has warned that if this barrier were breached by “one successful incident involving such [lethal] agents [it] would significantly lower the threshold of restraint on their application by other terrorists”. This barrier was composed of fear and uncertainty. The terrorists were afraid of the consequences of such a weapon and the danger to themselves. Furthermore, they were uncertain of the success of such an attack. Now, after the sarin attack in Japan in March of 1995, it is obvious how effective a small amount of chemical agent is at tying down a subway system, injuring thousands of people, and enraging people all over the world. The threat was indeed real. This essentially opened the door to a whole new form of effective and advantageous terrorism.
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