First came the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, killing more than 3,000 people. Then mysterious letters laced with deadly anthrax spores took five more victims. But for all their devastation, the attacks pale in comparison to the mayhem that terrorists could unleash with deadlier weapons. In fact, intelligence officials say terrorist leader Osama bin Laden has pursued nuclear and biological weapons, and that weapons-grade nuclear material in the former Soviet Union could fall into the wrong hands. International treaties have sought to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. But diplomacy alone may not be enough. As the new Office of Homeland Security works to shore up the country's defenses, the Bush administration wants to double the anti-terrorism budget.

Mary H. Cooper specializes in environmental, energy and defense issues. Before joining CQ Researcher as a staff writer in 1983, she was a reporter and Washington correspondent for the Rome daily newspaper l'Unita. She is the author of The Business of Drugs (CQ Press, 1990). She also is a contract translator-interpreter for the U.S. State Department. Cooper graduated from Hollins College in English.