DefenceTalkThe potential for terrorist use of chemical agents is a noted concern highlighted by the Tokyo sarin gas attacks of 1995. The events of September 11, 2001, increased congressional attention towards reducing the vulnerability of the United States to such unconventional attacks. The possibility that terrorist groups might obtain insecure chemical weapons led to increased […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chemical-weapons-a-summary-report-of-characteristics-and-effects-49118/

DefenceTalkSyria rebels possess ground-to-ground missiles and sarin, and a UN report on chemical weapons use shows they carried out attacks near Damascus, a high-ranking Syrian security source said Tuesday. “I categorically deny that we have used sarin gas, for the reason that we had no interest in doing so. We were winning in the battlefield,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/syria-security-official-says-rebels-have-missiles-sarin-gas-49100/

DefenceTalkThe United States provided Iraq with intelligence on preparations for an Iranian offensive during the Iran-Iraq war even though it knew Baghdad would respond with chemical weapons, Foreign Policy magazine reported Monday. Citing declassified CIA documents and interviews with former officials, the magazine reviewed the US record as Washington weighs military action against Syria for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-gave-iraq-intel-in-1980s-ignored-chemical-attacks-report-48910/

DefenceTalkUN Security Council members are seeking “clarity” on opposition claims that Syrian troops used chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus, Argentina’s UN envoy, the council president, said Wednesday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office said earlier he was “shocked” by the reports and that UN weapons experts in Syria to probe previous allegations were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/un-council-seeks-clarity-on-syria-chem-weapons-claim-48846/

DefenceTalkFirst responders occasionally come across suspicious powders, requiring them to have technology on hand to screen samples and identify whether or not they are a chemical or biological agent. Current technology performs a test to determine whether or not protein exists on the sample, an indication that the sample is live, or active. With this […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-scientists-research-new-technologies-for-rapid-accurate-detection-capabilities-48293/

DefenceTalkResults from a test simulating a chemical attack aboard USS New York (LPD 21) off the coast of Virginia verify the effectiveness of chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) defense systems in protecting Sailors aboard San Antonio-class ships, the Navy announced Jan. 31. According to the Defense Department Operational Test and Evaluation Force report, the San […]https://www.defencetalk.com/san-antonio-class-safe-in-chemical-warfare-environment-46627/