Identification of Pu and U isotopic composition and its applications in environmental and CBRN research

This paper describes the most common presently used methods for detecting uranium and plutonium isotopes after their introduction to environment. Known isotope ratios of U and Pu in different nuclear events are important tool for characterizing the sources of nuclear material. Detection techniques both in field and in laboratory are presented, as well as different models that can be used for identifying the origin and age of the nuclear material. Identification of the source of nuclear material in environmental samples is needed for estimating the quality and quantity of the nuclear hazard. This information is essential in risk assessment and crisis management, in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) research after e.g. a terrorist attack, in radioecology and environmental radioactivity research.     

Does Intent equal Capability? Al-Qaeda and Weapons of Mass Destruction

The prospect of terrorists deploying weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is often referred to as the foremost danger to American national security. This danger has become more realistic because of al-Qaeda's expanding global network and the expressed willingness to kill thousands of civilians. In the past four years, numerous media reports have documented the group's ongoing quest for WMD capabilities; many reports have detailed al-Qaeda members’ attempts to manufacture or obtain certain chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents to use in WMD against targets in the West and the Middle East. Yet the question remains: Does al-Qaeda's current WMD capability match its actual intent? While most studies of the group have focused on its explicit desire for WMD, allegations of CBRN acquisition, and the killing potential of specific CBRN agents, few open-source studies have closely examined the evolution of al-Qaeda's consideration of WMD and, most notably, the merit of actual CBRN production instructions as depicted and disseminated in the group's own literature and manuals. The following report will examine the history of al-Qaeda's interest in CBRN agents, the evolution of the network's attitude toward these weapons, and the internal debate within the organization concerning acquisition and use of WMD. More so, the following research will assess the validity of actual CBRN production instructions and capabilities as displayed and disseminated in al-Qaeda's own literature and websites.     

美国陆军旅战斗队化生放核力量研究及启示

化生放核部队是美军重要的作战保障力量。为有效应对化生放核威胁和危害,美国陆军通过重塑旅战斗队化生放核力量,不仅提升了自我保障能力,还具备了全频谱作战和可持续作战能力。本文通过研究和分析美国陆军步兵旅战斗队、斯特赖克旅战斗队和装甲旅战斗队化生放核兵员的力量编制和装备编配,试图为未来一个时期陆军合成旅防化兵建设和发展,实现全域作战和立体防护要求提供一定借鉴。研究表明,美国陆军旅战斗队在旅司令部、营司令部和连司令部编设不同岗位的化生放核参谋,作战指挥能力强;在旅司令部、工兵营、侦察营、步兵营/装甲营和支援营编配了大量便携式化生放核装备和少量车载式化生放核装备,自我保障能力较强。