Potential Terrorist Targets
This page lists some of the most significant terrrorist targets in the U.S. Many of these targets are discussed in the different Scenarios.
Infrastructure
Any infrastruture target affects a large group of people, and also shuts down some part of a modern society. The economic imapact of damaged infrastructure can be huge.
Large gatherings
By killing a large number of people, an attack on a large gathering has a large psychological effect. Most large gatherings have a media presence already there, and millions of people watching, so the psychological effect and fear get telegraphed to the public immediately. If the people killed are all key to a particular industry, then it could also have the effect of decapitating that industry. So, for example, attacking a national political convention while the president is speaking could decapitate our government.
- Urban Centers - [Scenario]
- Superbowl
- Olympics - [Scenario]
- Disney World, other theme parks
- Any football, baseball, basketball game etc. in any stadium or arena - [Scenario]
- State fairs
- Concerts
- Conventions and convention centers - [Scenario]
- A big parade like NY's thanksgiving parade
- A national political convention - [Scenario]
- Times Square on New Year's Eve
- A skyscraper at mid-day - [Scenario] [Scenario]
- An airport at a busy time of year
Key Leaders
Killing a key leader, and especially killing a key leader along with several tiers of his or her close associates, has the effect of decapitating and confusing an organization.
- CEOs and senior management in important corporations
- Key technologists (e.g., key people at Microsoft or Intel)
- Key scientists (e.g. nuclear physicists, etc. in our nuclear weapons programs)
- The President or vice president - [Scenario] - [Scenario]
- The president's children - [Scenario]
- Members of the cabinet
- Members of congress - [Scenario]
- Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Members of white house staff
- Governors
- State government officials
- Key mayors (e.g., the mayor of NYC)
- Alan Greenspan, other highly-placed officials
Key facilities
By hitting a key facility, the goal is to shut down operation of that orgaization for a period of time.
- NYSE - [Scenario]
- NASDAQ
- Air traffic control centers
- Telephone switching offices
- Internet hubs
- Pentagon - [Scenario]
- White House - [Scenario]
- The Capital - [Scenario]
- NASA launch facilities
- Military bases
- The United Nations
- Central park
Corporate headquarters
- Major banks (Citibank, Chase)
- Major technology companies (Microsoft, Intel)
- Defense contractors (GE, General Dynamics)
- Major media organizations (for example, CNN)
- Major telecommunications companies (for example, AT&T)
Government facilities
- White house - [Scenario]
- U.S. Capital - [Scenario]
- City capitals
- Government office buildings
- Military bases
- Pentagon
- CIA headquarters
- IRS headquarters or processing facilities
- FBI headquarters
Monuments
- Statue of Liberty
- Washington monument
- Mount Rushmore
- Empire state building
- Central park
- Golden Gate bridge
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