Audience and Message: Assessing Terrorist WMD Potential

One of the more frequently debated topics in terrorism is whether and under what conditions terrorists might use a weapon of mass destruction. Given the potential for damage resulting from WMD use by non-state actors, the questions of whether, when, and what likelihood are of critical concern. This paper offers one way these questions might be addressed by considering the mindset and perspective of terrorists, the primary audience they presume to speak to, the message they provide to that audience, and the nature of their relationship with other members of society.