Here's an interesting link to the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terror:
http://www.mipt.org/darkwinter06222001.asp
The linked article provides further details on the "Dark Winter" wargame simulation. The MIPT was one of the participants, along with Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies, the ANSER Institute for Homeland Security.
According to the site i just linked to, these were the coclusions drawn from the "Dark Winter" exercise:
EXERCISE LEARNING POINTS
1) An attack on the United States with biological weapons could threaten vital national security interests. Massive civilian casualties, breakdown in essential institutions, violation of democratic processes, civil disorder, loss of confidence in government and reduced US strategic flexibility abroad are among the ways a biological attack might compromise US security.
2) Current organizational structures and capabilities are not well suited for the management of a BW attack. Major “fault lines” exist between different levels of government (federal, state, and local), between government and the private sector, among different institutions and agencies, and within the public and private sector. These “disconnects” could impede situational awareness and compromise the ability to limit loss of life, suffering, and economic damage.
3) There is no surge capability in the US health care and public health systems, or the pharmaceutical and vaccine industries. This institutionally limited surge capacity could result in hospitals being overwhelmed and becoming inoperable; could impede public health agencies’ analysis of the scope, source and progress of the epidemic, the ability to educate and reassure the public, and the capacity to limit causalities and the spread of disease.
4) Dealing with the media will be a major, immediate challenge for all levels of government. Information management and communication (e.g., dealing with the press effectively, communication with citizens, maintaining the information flows necessary for command and control at all institutional levels) will be a critical element in crisis/consequence management.
5) Should a contagious bioweapon pathogen be used, containing the spread of disease will present significant ethical, political, cultural, operational and legal challenges.
Thanks, I'll go read about it. :)
Look at this:
KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia (AP) - The gunmen went from house to house, rifling through papers, studying home decorations for clues, asking probing questions as they hunted down foreigners to kill.
As they recounted Saturday's attack on offices, homes and a resort in Khobar, survivors told of a careful, cold-blooded search for victims followed by unthinkable violence. In all, 22 people died.
One hotel guest ...
http://www.canada.com/fortstjohn/story.html?id=A9A73C7D-1C4B-4016-9B68-E376096CCAE2