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Previous Neglect Means Gaps Need to Be Closed

• Countering WMD comprises a mission area of overarching importance.
• Because counter-WMD missions have not been given priority for defense resources, the United States may lack both the capabilities and the capacity required to conduct WMD-elimination operations in, for example, a collapsed state.
• The potential ground force requirements for WMD-E operations could be substantial.

Counter-WMD Efforts Should Be Properly Structured

• The size, complexity and strategic importance of WMD elimination operations will require the dedicated efforts of a joint task force (JTF).
• In addition to special operations forces and technical units, this JTF will require general-purpose forces for security and logistical operations, as well as combat forces if sites must be found and seized in the presence of hostile populations and military forces.
• The number of troops needed can range from as few as 15,000 for small efforts in relatively low-threat environments to more than 270,000 troops for large operations in high-threat environments posing dangers of theft and proliferation. For WMD elimination operations in a collapsed DPRK scenario, our best estimate is 188,000 troops.