Weapons Of Mass Destruction

1
Weapons Of Mass Destruction

• Americas Greatest Fear of Iraq

2
What Are WMDs

• Weapons of Mass Destruction emit radioactive,
  biological, and chemical materials to harm other
  humans

3
Chemical Weapons

• Mustard Gas Chlorine Gas blinded and killed
  thousands of civilians soldiers in World War I

4
Biological Weapons

• Biological Weapons intentionally spread disease
  upon an enemy or population
• Over 20 toxins diseases, such as smallpox or
  anthrax, could be used as weapons

5
Nuclear Weapons

• Splitting of Atoms to create a massive explosion
• After the explosion, radioactive material lingers
  causing causing disease permanent defects among
  survivors

6
Iran-Iraq War

• The Iraqi military used chemical weapons,
  including mustard gas and nerve gas, during their
  eight year war with Iran

• The military also used chemicals on
  civilian populations which assisted Iran

7
Halabja

• On March 17, 1988, Iraqi military spread poison
  gas through the town of Halabja
• 5,000 people died, and another 10,000 casualties
  survived.
• Most victims were women and children

8
Anthrax Attacks of 2001

• Shortly after the attacks on September 11th,
  several letters were mailed which contained a
  biological weapon in the envelope, known as
  anthrax.
• The attacks killed five people and infected
  another 17 people

9
Targets

• ABC, NBC, CBS (Television Networks)
• American Media, Inc. (Tabloids), NY Post
• Sen. Daschle (D-SD), Sen. Leahy (D-VT)

Biggest Victim

• The United States Postal Service was affected
  most as the attacks. Two postal workers died, and
  several post offices were temporarily closed

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How far did it spread?
11
Whos At Risk of Attack

• Many Americans fear WMDs created by the Iraqi
  government could be transferred to terrorists
  attacking the United States either intentionally
  or via theft.

12
Whos At Risk of Attack?

• Given Saddam Husseins prior history, many
  believe he may use weapons of mass destruction
  against the Israel
• Since Israel is one of the few democracies in the
  Middle East, America pays close attention to
  their protection.

13
Whos At Risk of Attack

• The previous use of on Iraqi citizens raises
  other concerns with Saddam Husseins access to
  WMDs
• The United States bombed suspected WMD production
  facilities throughout the 1990s

14
Who was Investigating

• The UN Security Council Passed Resolution 1441,
  offering Iraq, a final opportunity
• In Nov. 2002,
• UN Inspectors
• returned to Iraq
• lead by Hans
• Blix (Sweden)

15
Summary

• While many nations have weapons of mass
  destruction, Americans claimed the dangerous
  history of Saddam Hussein warranted military
  action
• These concerns were President Bushs
  justification attack Iraq before our safety has
  been jeopardized, known as a pre-emptive strike