Initiatives and Challenges in Consequence Management after a WMD Attack

In the past decade, as the threat from rogue states and terrorist groups has increased, the U.S. and its allies have devoted far greater attention to how to manage the consequences of prospective uses of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Consequence management1 is a process to mitigate the effects of the use of weapons of mass destruction, including: detecting and characterizing weapons of mass destruction attacks; measures that protect public health, ensure safety, and protect the environment; measures to medically counter the effects of weapons of mass destruction attacks; measures that restore essential services to government, businesses, and individuals; and planning, training, and equipping to coordinate/synchronize the civil-military response.2 A thorough review and discussion of U.S. plans for consequence management will include the following: The history of consequence management of the effects of weapons of mass destruction, with particular focus on the period since 1993. The mandate for consequence management in the recent U.S. National Security Strategy and National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction.3 These strategies direct U.S. efforts both in the homeland and in support of U.S. forces and allies overseas, though these efforts are organized differently.