THE NEXUS OF CWMD AND COUNTER TERRORISM
The CTR Program has projects in Lebanon and Jordan to address cross-border WMD threats stemming from the conflict in Syria. CTR is building an integrated border surveillance system that enables the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to deter, detect, and interdict WMD and WMD-related materials in transit across Lebanon’s 375-km border with Syria. This involves providing surveillance equipment at border outposts for border segments covered by four of Lebanon’s six Land Border Regiments.
CTR has also worked with Jordan to deploy an integrated border surveillance system that enables Jordan to deter, detect, and interdict WMD-related trafficking along Jordan’s borders with Syria and Iraq and to maintain operational capability in the event of a WMD event. This involves providing equipment and training to improve core proliferation-prevention capabilities of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF).
These projects provide Jordan and Lebanon with the equipment and training needed to monitor their borders with Syria and Iraq, enabling them to interdict attempts to illegally move chemical agents or other WMD materials into Lebanon and Jordan for possible use by ISIS or other violent extremists.
LAF Operator using an endoscope for vehicle inspection during field training
LAF Operator using a density meter for vehicle inspection during field training
NUCLEAR SECURITY: TRANSPORT AND SECURE
Protecting weapons useable nuclear material remains one of the highest priorities for the CTR Program. Being prepared to transport weapons useable and high-threat radiological material to secure locations is a critical part of protecting these nuclear materials. In 2017 and 2018, CTR worked with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Transportation Command, and allies in Europe to repatriate nuclear material from Europe to the United States. These scheduled transfers provided excellent opportunities to refine the complex processes and coordination needed to move materials requiring the utmost protection and security. The lessons learned from moving nuclear materials will permit CTR to respond more quickly to future needs to safely transport material interdicted by allies who do not have secure facilities for long-term storage.
C-17 certified to transport nuclear materials