WMDs
Nuclear, biological, chemical
WMDs is the abbreviation for weapons of mass destruction—nuclear, chemical, biological, or radiological weapons capable of killing large numbers of people.
The term gained wide currency during debates over the 2003 Iraq War, when the presence or absence of WMDs became a central political controversy: The inspectors found no WMDs.
Organophosphate chemical weapon
- nerve agentWeaponized neurotoxin
- mustard gasBlistering chemical warfare agent
- VXChemical warfare toxin
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
antidote · atropine · Syria · decontamination · gas mask · precursor · stockpile · neurotoxin
Of elemental particles
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
- HiroshimaFirst nuclear-struck city
- NagasakiSecond city bombed atomically
plutonium · uranium · fallout · ICBMs · deterrence · nonproliferation · arsenal · megaton
Spore-forming bacterial disease
- smallpoxDeadly pustular viral infection
- bioweaponPathogen deployed as armament
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- plagueDeadly epidemic disease
ricin · botulinum · weaponized · spores · bioterrorism · germ warfare · contagion · outbreak
Rapid increase in quantity
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- rogue stateHostile, isolated country
arms control · IAEA · UN Security Council · North Korea · enrichment · verification · embargo · regime
Explosive spreading radioactive contamination
- bioterrorWeaponized infectious agents
- Aum ShinrikyoJapanese apocalyptic terrorist organization
- radiologicalInvolving emission-based imaging
- suitcase nukeMiniaturized portable nuclear device
sleeper cell · threat assessment · first responder · extremist · counterterrorism · detection · prevention · preparedness
sarin
Organophosphate chemical weapon
- nerve agentWeaponized neurotoxin
- mustard gasBlistering chemical warfare agent
- VXChemical warfare toxin
chlorine · antidote · atropine · Syria · decontamination · gas mask · precursor · stockpile · neurotoxin · asphyxiant
atomic
Of elemental particles
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- mushroom cloudDistinctive nuclear blast formation
- HiroshimaFirst nuclear-struck city
Nagasaki · plutonium · uranium · fallout · ICBMs · deterrence · nonproliferation · arsenal · megaton · fission
anthrax
Spore-forming bacterial disease
- smallpoxDeadly pustular viral infection
- bioweaponPathogen deployed as armament
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
plague · ricin · botulinum · weaponized · spores · bioterrorism · germ warfare · contagion · outbreak · aerosol
proliferation
Rapid increase in quantity
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- treatyBinding pact between nations
rogue state · arms control · IAEA · UN Security Council · North Korea · enrichment · verification · embargo · regime · intelligence
dirty bomb
Explosive spreading radioactive contamination
- bioterrorWeaponized infectious agents
- Aum ShinrikyoJapanese apocalyptic terrorist organization
- radiologicalInvolving emission-based imaging
suitcase nuke · sleeper cell · threat assessment · first responder · extremist · counterterrorism · detection · prevention · preparedness · Al-Qaeda
- global threatsterrorism, nuclear war, cyberattacks, pandemic, nuclear weapons
Non-WMD military equipment
small arms · handguns · rifles · conventional arms · pistols
Countermeasures against threats
bomb shelters · gas masks · protective equipment · humanitarian aid · medical supplies