Terrorist Threats to the Environment in Iraq and Beyond

The environmental consequences of political conflict are a growing problem throughout the world. Not only nations, but a variety of terrorist and insurgent groups have shown a disturbing tendency to make use of intentional environmental destruction in the pursuit of their political agendas. Currently, scenarios of environmental terrorism in Iraq are particularly dire, due to the changing political situation in that country, the vulnerability of its petroleum infrastructure, and the precedent set by the catastrophe in Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War. The international community should remain aware of the real threat of sudden, intentional environmental destruction, and should take preventative steps, while preparing for the possibility of a major event. Steps can be taken to provide for security and emergency response, while the promotion of social justice and educational initiatives can help to decrease the likelihood of such an event. Further research should be conducted to identify the most effective strategies for reducing the threat of environmental terrorism in specific regions.