The Aspen Institute

The bipartisan Congressional Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism (WMD Commission) determined in December 2008 that WMD terrorism is a continuing and serious threat. The Commission further concluded that it is more likely that terrorists would obtain and use a biological rather than a nuclear weapon. At the request of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the Aspen Homeland Security Group’s WMD Working Group (AWG) has considered the current terrorist threat associated with these weapons, U.S. readiness to address the threat, and proposals to strengthen preparedness.