A Swedish/European view of bioterrorism.
Bioterrorism includes possible use of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), preferably biological agents, by non-state terrorist groups as well as criminal clusters. The threat from terrorists to utilize biological agents to achieve goals is not new, but the threshold to realize the threats seems to be lower than previously expected. It can be argued that as targets for bioterrorism Sweden and Europe are less likely than is the U.S. However, with the collapse of the former Soviet Union heavy mafia-based groups have emerged in Russia with the intent to obtain and trade material and utilities for the creation of WMD. Such activities are reaching far beyond the borders and can thus be found in Sweden as well as the other countries of Europe. This together with the fact that groups of different shades of political opinion can come in open conflict in the most unexpected countries of Europe have given bioterrorism a face in Sweden, as well as in the rest of Europe.
Sandström
G
G
Defence Research Establishment, SE-901 82 Umeå. gsandstrom@ume.foa.se
D000818:Animals; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000639:trends; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D012426:Russia; D013548:Sweden; D014481:United States