The Department of Homeland Security has created an office that will work to streamline its efforts to prevent terrorists from using weapons of mass destruction against U.S citizens and interests.
The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office will consolidate key functions and steer DHS’ strategy against WMD threats under the leadership of James McDonnell, director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, the department said Thursday.
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the creation of an office to unify intelligence, operations, interagency collaboration and international action is essential to address evolving terrorism.
CWMD aims to facilitate increased policy coordination, strategic planning and visibility into missions to stop national security threat actors that use chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents and devices.
DHS noted intelligence analysis reports that indicate terrorists and non-state entities are utilizing battlefield environments to tests WMD capabilities previously accessible only to nation states.
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke is scheduled to provide additional details on the CWMD Office at the Hudson Institute on Dec. 13.