Biological Weapons and Warfare

Contents:

The threat of biological weapons and warfare poses particular challenges to government officials charged with devising immediate and longer-term emergency response plans. RAND has developed exercises to train public health agencies to respond to bioterrorism; examined the longer-term psychological consequences of bioterrorism; and created guidelines to improve individual preparedness for chemical, radiological, nuclear, and biological attacks.

Research conducted by: RAND National Security Research Division; RAND Project AIR FORCE; RAND Arroyo Center; RAND Health

All Items (33)

Commentary

Anatomy of a War Game — Jun 6, 2012

War games are especially important as countries prepare to counter adversaries who use asymmetric strategies or weapons, forcing military planners to deal with unfamiliar threats, writes Bruce Bennett.

Research Brief

The Department of Defense Can Improve Its Response to and Management of Anthrax Incidents — Apr 13, 2009

Assesses the Department of Defense (DoD) response to three potential anthrax-related incidents at DoD facilities in March 2005 and recommends ways that DoD can improve its incident-response capabilities.

Journal Article

Public Health Preparedness for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Weapons — Jan 1, 2009

Presents a broad overview of the U.S. public health response system, recent efforts to improve preparedness, challenges faced, and options for moving forward.

News Release

RAND Study Finds Terrorist Groups Teach Each Other Deadly Skills — May 9, 2007

May 9, 2007 news release: RAND Study Finds Terrorist Groups Teach Each Other Deadly Skills.

Report

Analysis of Department of Defense Plans and Responses to Three Potential Anthrax Incidents in March 2005: Executive Summary — Apr 6, 2006

What do three potential anthrax-related incidents at Defense Department mail facilities tell us about the readiness of the Pentagon and its planned responses to such incidents?

Commentary

Securing America's Ports — Mar 26, 2006

Published commentary by RAND staff: Securing America's Ports, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Report

Simple Steps for Preparedness and Response to Terrorist Attacks — Feb 23, 2006

Individuals can take simple steps to protect themselves from the harmful effects of potential terrorist attacks involving chemical, radiological, nuclear, and biological weapons.

Research Brief

Examining Possible Causes of Gulf War Illness: RAND Policy Investigations and Reviews of the Scientific Literature — Nov 25, 2005

This research brief outlines assistance that RAND provided to the OSAGWI in investigating the health effects of eight areas of possible causes of illness: infectious diseases, pyridostigmine bromide, immunizations, wartime stress, chemical and biological warfare agents, oil well fires, depleted uranium, and pesticides.

Report

Diversion of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Expertise from the Former Soviet Union: Understanding an Evolving Problem — May 13, 2005

Assesses the threat of diversion of expertise and sensitive information from the weapons complexes of the former Soviet Union.

Journal Article

Nano-enabled Components and Systems for Biodefense — Jan 1, 2005

Focuses on biomedical applications of nanotechnology in: nanodrugs and drug delivery; prostheses and implants; diagnostics and screening technologies.

Commentary

Rereading the Duelfer Report — Nov 15, 2004

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Commentary

How Can Individuals Be Better Prepared for Catastrophic Terrorist Attacks? — Jun 7, 2004

Published RAND commentary by RAND staff.

Commentary

Why We Didn't Get the Picture — Feb 1, 2004

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Commentary

N. Korea's Threat to S. Korea — Mar 7, 2003

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Report

The Acquisition of Drugs and Biologics for Chemical and Biological Warfare Defense: Department of Defense Interactions with the Food and Drug Administration — Jan 1, 2003

Recommends ways for the Department of Defense to further and better coordinate its relationship with the Food and Drug Administration.

Research Brief

An Individual’s Strategy for Responding to Chemical, Radiological, Nuclear, and Biological Terrorist Attacks — Jan 1, 2003

This research brief describes work documented in Individual Preparedness and Response to Chemical, Radiological, Nuclear, and Biological Terrorist Attacks (MR-1731-SF).

Commentary

Iraq's Had Time to Really Hide Its Weapons Sites — Sep 19, 2002

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Report

Measuring and Evaluating Local Preparedness for a Chemical or Biological Terrorist Attack — Jan 1, 2002

This issue paper discusses the challenges of measuring preparedness for chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents and illustrates the difficulties using detailed, nationally representative data from local response organizations on the existence and exercise of plans to address these types of incidents.

Report

Are Local Health Responders Ready for Biological and Chemical Terrorism? — Jan 1, 2002

The public health and medical communities have long sought to address the threat of biological, chemical, or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their potential effects on the health and safety of U.S. citizens.

Commentary

Deny Victory to Anthrax Terrorists — Oct 17, 2001

Published commentary by RAND staff.

My RAND ?

Saved Items

Recommended

View My Profile

Explore

Broader Topics

Similar Topics

Explore All Topics »

Researcher Spotlight

Scott Savitz

Senior Engineer

Scott Savitz

Scott Savitz is a senior engineer at the RAND Corporation with expertise in defense and homeland security analysis. He recently led a team analyzing how the U.S. Navy could effectively employ unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). He has also contributed to a congressionally mandated study on U.S.…

Gregory S. Jones

Adjunct

Gregory S. Jones

Gregory S. Jones is an adjunct senior defense policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. His research has focused on the potential for terrorists and hostile countries to acquire and use nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological weapons, and the formulation of policies and actions to control…

Explore Our People »