**REPLY TO EACH POST 100 WORDS MIN EACH*** 1. Throughout this course we have learned that the terms CBRN and WMD are interchangeable and can be best defined as any chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weaponized variant capable of producing immense destruction and large-scale casualties. Of the various types, chemical weapons really stood out to me as interesting because of their historical use in warfare, specifically mustard gas (HD) in World War I. It belongs to the sub classification of chemical weapons known as blister agents and although it does not always cause death, sulfur mustard, whether it is ingested, inhaled or makes contact with the skin can have adverse effects on the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, bone marrow, and mucous membranes of the body (CDC, 2018). Being a vesicant, it can be dispersed through any medium and has the ability to cause serious long term impairment of individuals through permanent blindness, chronic respiratory infections, lung cancer, and extensive third degree burns which is why the Chemical Weapons Convention banned the use, sale, and production of it in 1993. It is relatively easy, compared to the implementation of a radiological or nuclear device, for a terrorist organization to acquire the source materials and have the knowledge to create it. Iraq’s repeated chemical bombing of Iran’s Halabja district in 1988 and Syria’s use of chlorine gas against their own people in 2014 stand as recent examples of why mustard gas, or other forms of chemical weapons are of a higher threat level. Their simplicity, availability, and ability to be dispersed in multiple manners appeal to rogue nations and terrorist organizations alike. Prevention methods to diminish the associated risks include training and equipping individuals to be able to utilize personnel protective gear such as gas masks and hazmat suits, providing in place shelters capable of defending against gas exposure, tracking the buying and selling of toxic industrial resources, and limiting the knowledge available on how to produce such (although I am certain the latter would be the hardest with the development of the internet and information sharing). 2.Hello Classmates. I have chosen to discuss chlorine again because it is one of the most common chemicals that most people have in their homes right now. Chlorine’s most dangerous form is in its gaseous state but it is also used to clean pools, sanitize surfaces, and clean clothes. We even use it to decontaminate drinking water in water treatment plants. Injuries can be caused from eye exposure, skin exposure, inhalation, and ingestion (CDC, 2020). The chemical was used in World War I effectively as a chemical weapon. The chlorine gas was put into fuel tanks similar to the ones used today for propane. Since the gas is heavier than air, it would settle into the trenches where soldiers were hiding. This would force them out of the trenches to be shot fleeing or be forced to succumb to the .

1. **REPLY TO EACH POST 100 WORDS MIN EACH***
1. Throughout this course we have learned that the terms CBRN
and WMD are interchangeable and can be best defined as any
chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weaponized
variant capable of producing immense destruction and large-
scale casualties. Of the various types, chemical weapons really
stood out to me as interesting because of their historical use in
warfare, specifically mustard gas (HD) in World War I. It
belongs to the sub classification of chemical weapons known as
blister agents and although it does not always cause death,
sulfur mustard, whether it is ingested, inhaled or makes contact
with the skin can have adverse effects on the skin, eyes,
respiratory tract, bone marrow, and mucous membranes of the
body (CDC, 2018). Being a vesicant, it can be dispersed through
any medium and has the ability to cause serious long term
impairment of individuals through permanent blindness, chronic
respiratory infections, lung cancer, and extensive third degree
burns which is why the Chemical Weapons Convention banned
the use, sale, and production of it in 1993. It is relatively easy,
compared to the implementation of a radiological or nuclear
device, for a terrorist organization to acquire the source
materials and have the knowledge to create it. Iraq’s repeated
chemical bombing of Iran’s Halabja district in 1988 and Syria’s
use of chlorine gas against their own people in 2014 stand as
recent examples of why mustard gas, or other forms of chemical
weapons are of a higher threat level. Their simplicity,
availability, and ability to be dispersed in multiple manners
appeal to rogue nations and terrorist organizations alike.
Prevention methods to diminish the associated risks include
training and equipping individuals to be able to utilize
personnel protective gear such as gas masks and hazmat suits,

2. providing in place shelters capable of defending against gas
exposure, tracking the buying and selling of toxic industrial
resources, and limiting the knowledge available on how to
produce such (although I am certain the latter would be the
hardest with the development of the internet and information
sharing).
2.Hello Classmates. I have chosen to discuss chlorine again
because it is one of the most common chemicals that most
people have in their homes right now. Chlorine’s most
dangerous form is in its gaseous state but it is also used to clean
pools, sanitize surfaces, and clean clothes. We even use it to
decontaminate drinking water in water treatment plants. Injuries
can be caused from eye exposure, skin exposure, inhalation, and
ingestion (CDC, 2020). The chemical was used in World War I
effectively as a chemical weapon. The chlorine gas was put into
fuel tanks similar to the ones used today for propane. Since the
gas is heavier than air, it would settle into the trenches where
soldiers were hiding. This would force them out of the trenches
to be shot fleeing or be forced to succumb to the chemical. I do
believe that future threats of chlorine being used as a weapon is
very possible. Not only is chlorine very common and can be
bought in large quantities, but the United States is one of the
biggest suppliers of the chemical world-wide. This requires us
to ship more than 15 million tons of the chemical over long
distance through public and unprotected routes every year.
(Jones, Wills, & Kang, 2010). Protecting these routes should be
made a priority. The United States has already decreased
production locations to 20 states and has implemented
regulations, but we appear to have less prevention after the
chemical has been produced and is in transport. I think focusing
on that aspect would further protect our country and our
citizens.

3. 3. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with each and every one
of you during this course. I have learned so much about the
difference between the Law Enforcement Community and the
Intelligence Community. My view was so narrow before as I
have only ever interacted with the Intelligence Community. One
of the main challenges the Intelligence Community faces in
supporting the Homeland Security Enterprise is potentially
violating American civil liberties. There are a lot of laws
dictating what these agencies can and cannot do when it comes
to collection within the United States. Domestic terrorism can
be a very serious challenge especially when it comes to
investigating terrorist activity from United States citizens.
Currently, the Intelligence Community has a good balance with
the Homeland Security Enterprise as far as support. I believe
the two have a relationship were the information and missions
coming from each side can be fused together to meet an
objective. There are also several middle men like fusion centers.
In regards to the last question about the IC being able to adapt
to emerging threats, its’ hard to say for sure. Unfortunately,
these agencies have a reputation from learning from their
mistakes. It’s also very hard to judge how an agency will
respond to a threat when you haven’t actually seen something
play out in the real world. All and all, the IC and LEC always
need to keep American civil liberties at the front of their mind
in every operation. We cannot protect the American people if
we are somehow violating their privacy
4. Just like with any federal agency the Intelligence Community
also faces challenges. One of the main challenges that the
Intelligence Community faces in supporting the Homeland

4. Security Enterprise seems to be the balancing act of ensuring
the Americans United States Constitutional rights are not
withheld in the name of intelligence collection. I feel as though
most people would not have any contingencies if the
government is invading the privacy of a foreign non-citizen of
the United States. However, when it comes to actual Americans
rights it calls for a little more caution in the way intelligence
collection process is conducted. I understand that security is
important and when there is probable cause on a suspect then so
be it, however, it is crucial to ensure the proper steps are taken
and that we do not cut corners when it comes to an Americans
rights. In fact, this same concept is supposed to be embedded in
all of the Intelligence Community efforts per the National
Intelligence Strategy, “The Intelligence Community must
exemplify America’s values: operating under the rule of law,
consistent with Americans’ expectations for protection of
privacy and civil liberties, respectful of human rights, and in a
manner that retains the trust of the American people.” (Office of
the Director of National Intelligence)
5. There are many different initiatives that have been
implemented from the PATRIOT ACT. The 1st of many of this
initiative was " The Patriot Act allows investigators to use the
tools that were already available to investigate organized crime
and drug trafficking".((The USA Patriot Act: Preserving Life
and Liberty) This 1st initiative gave law enforcement the same
ability as if they going after the mafia towards investigating
terrorist. The next initiative was " The Patriot Act facilitated
information sharing and cooperation among government
agencies so that they can better connect the dots". (The USA
Patriot Act: Preserving Life and Liberty )With this initiative it
got rid of the major legal issues that was preventing law
enforcement, intelligence, and national defense communities

5. form having to talk and coordinate their work to help protect
our national security. (The USA Patriot Act: Preserving Life
and Liberty) A third initiative that came from the Patriot Act
was " The Patriot Act updated the law to reflect new
technologies and new threats".(The USA Patriot Act: Preserving
Life and Liberty) This initiative allowed the Patriot Act to bring
the law up to date with the latest technology, this way we are
not using out of date equipment to use against the digital age.
(The USA Patriot Act: Preserving Life and Liberty ) A fourth
initiative that was implemented from the result of the Patriot
Act, was that " The Patriot Act increased the penalties for those
who commit terrorist crimes." This initiative created tougher
penalties for those who were accused of supporting or
committing crimes toward terrorisms.
6. The Patriot Act was put into place following 9/11 with the
goal of prevent another such attack. the primary initiatives are
to "deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and
around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory
tools, and other purposes, some of which include: To strengthen
U.S. measures to prevent, detect and prosecute international
money laundering and financing of terrorism; To subject to
special scrutiny foreign jurisdictions, foreign financial
institutions, and classes of international transactions or types of
accounts that are susceptible to criminal abuse; To require all
appropriate elements of the financial services industry to report
potential money laundering; To strengthen measures to prevent
use of the U.S. financial system for personal gain by corrupt
foreign officials and facilitate repatriation of stolen assets to
the citizens of countries to whom such assets belong."
(DNI.gov, US patriot act, paragraph 2). Balancing security and
civil liberties is a very difficult task. Something I feel often
gets overlooked, especially in the name security or safety is the

6. voice of the people. If you want to maintain peoples civil
liberties then they have to be included in the rule making. With
the Patriot Act, there was good intent when it was put into
place. Later it was determined that parts of it violated civil
liberties. If we the people would have been included in the
decision making and the vote for that then that never would
have been included. I feel it is often forgotten that the people
control the government not the other way around. If the
government remembers that then that is the best way to balance
security and civil liberties. - Tayler