"Those are the things that, in the wrong hands - and certainly in our war on terrorism we also must attack proliferation and those nations that proliferate with chemical, biological and nuclear type devices, because that can cause the most catastrophic results"

In this quote, Hugh Shelton, a military leader and previous Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Personnel, stresses the important value of managing the proliferation of weapons of mass damage (WMDs) in the context of counter-terrorism efforts. By describing "those are the things", Shelton is most likely alluding to chemical, biological, and nuclear devices, which he identifies as particularly unsafe if acquired by the wrong entities.

Shelton highlights a dual strategy in the "war on terrorism". One element is direct action versus terrorist companies; the other is avoiding the spread of WMDs. Shelton acknowledges that expansion enhances the potential for disastrous results, symbolizing that when such weapons are developed, obtained, or used by unstable federal governments or non-state actors like terrorist groups, the effects can be ravaging on a global scale.

The expression "in the wrong hands" highlights that the risk is not exclusively about the presence of these weapons however rather about who manages them. This implies a need for rigid international guidelines and vigilance to prevent WMDs from ending up being tools of aggressiveness or coercion by rogue states or terrorist networks.

By emphasizing "those countries that multiply", Shelton locations duty not only on terrorist groups but likewise on states that might add to the spread of WMD technologies. This can be translated as a require diplomatic, economic, or military measures to curtail such activities. It recommends the necessity for worldwide cooperation and enforcement of non-proliferation treaties to successfully take on the complex web of expansion.

Overall, Shelton's statement draws attention to a tactical imperative in international security policy: the need to blend counter-terrorism with proactive non-proliferation efforts. This dual focus aims to reduce threat and safeguard international stability by ensuring that the world's most harmful innovations are kept secure from harmful use.