by CKR
The Washington Post is running a series on nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons that for the first time gives balanced information on the subject, not reflections of reporters’ fears.
Dafna Linzer and John Mintz actually work through the steps that would be necessary for to acquire materials for and develop deliverable forms of these weapons. A few things are not well explained and may be confusing, but overall they’ve got it right: it’s not easy. A third article will run tomorrow.
One point that they leave out is that without the controls inherent in buildings that have been constructed for nuclear chemistry or biological containment, the terrorists could expose themselves to the dangers they are trying to prepare for others. Although terrorists may be willing to sacrifice are worth it, too much anthrax or a plutonium fire could kill them before they carry out their plans.
A couple of lessons come clearly through: help get Russian weapons and materials under control, and improve public health systems.
These weapons are truly horrifying, so it’s not too surprising that it’s taken the media this long to get it right. I had to be faced with these issues in my work before I could contemplate them without shrinking away. But this is a reporter’s job too, to face what the rest of us might not want to.
Cheers to the Washington Post for finally taking this issue on in a serious way. It’s too bad it’s taken them several years to get there.
Added 31.12.04: The article on chemical weapons continues the responsible and intelligent coverage.