Skip to page content

Biological Weapons and Warfare

article

Red-Teaming the Risks of Using AI in Biological Attacks
A RAND experiment brought together several dozen researchers to role-play bad guys planning a biological attack. Some had access to large language models while others only had access to the internet. A panel of experts graded each team's plan on whether or not it could be viable.
Mar 25, 2024

q&a

Is AI an Existential Risk? Q&A with RAND Experts
What are the potential risks associated with AI? Might any of these be catastrophic or even existential? And as momentum builds toward boundless applications of this technology, how might humanity reduce AI risk and navigate an uncertain future?
Mar 11, 2024
commentary

Debunking Russian Lies About Biolabs at Upcoming U.N. Meetings
Before Russia invaded Ukraine in February, its diplomatic missions began circulating some particularly fantastical lies. It's tempting to write off such claims as cartoonish propaganda. But Russia is making similarly outrageous claims to the United Nations and other international forums. Such maneuvers could dangerously undermine international arms control agreements.
Sep 12, 2022
commentary

Could the Bioweapons Treaty Be Another Tool for Addressing Pandemics?
What might governments do to reduce the risk of future large-scale biological attacks or naturally occurring pandemics? Perhaps now is the right time to revisit the 46-year-old Biological Weapons Convention treaty and make it a better tool against future biological threats.
Mar 12, 2021
commentary

Achieving the Trump Administration's National Biodefense Strategy
The Trump administration recently published its National Biodefense Strategy, which says that managing the risk of biological threats is in the “vital interest” of the United States, however they might present. The document provides a solid foundation, but more may be required to fully realize its goals and objectives.
Oct 2, 2018
commentary

A Countering Bioterrorism Facility Worth a Second Look
President Trump's proposed budget would close a laboratory dedicated to countering bioterrorism and providing the science behind bioterrorism response and recovery. Policymakers should assess whether the lab's capabilities are worth the price when weighed against the potential cost of a bioterror attack.
Jun 7, 2017
commentary

Can the Bioweapons Convention Survive Crispr?
Crispr is a biotechnology that's making genetic editing easier, cheaper, and far more accessible, but it has also been called a major security threat. Do such advances in biotechnology make the bioweapons convention obsolete?
Jul 29, 2016
commentary

Russia on the Horns of a Nuclear Dilemma
While the murder of Alexander Litvinenko is a human tragedy, broader concerns about the lowering of WMD norms and violations of international law should be addressed. The use of radioactive matter to kill him represents a serious breach of international agreements.
Feb 19, 2016
commentary

Troubling Truth Beneath Litvinenko Headlines
Slipping radioactive material into a spy's tea in the middle of London may not sound like a CBRN attack, but it is, as the Owen report has confirmed. Hopefully, the report's release will help focus global attention on the growing threat posed by these devastating weapons.
Jan 21, 2016
commentary

Countering Bioterror
While advances in biotechnology have brought a wide range of benefits, biological weapons are now within the reach of many rogue nations and possibly some terrorist groups. Reports show that the U.S. is ill prepared to address this threat.
Jan 18, 2016
commentary

The U.S. Needs to Exercise Leadership at the Biological Weapons Convention
The world is one rogue microbiologist away from a potentially devastating biological attack. In this new, evolving environment, the United States should establish its goals and objectives and build coalitions to help meet them.
Dec 28, 2015
commentary

Ebola and Syria's Chemical Weapons Show U.S. Can Leave Nothing to Chance
There are key takeaways from the Ebola outbreak, Syria's chemical weapons, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The U.S. and its international partners should view these events as learning opportunities that could help improve preparedness and response capabilities before the next crisis strikes.
Jul 9, 2015
commentary

To Know the Future of Biological Weapons, Look to the Past
A panel chaired by former Sen. Joe Lieberman and former Gov. Tom Ridge will review U.S. policy on biodefense. Looking back to the end of the U.S. offensive biological warfare program would provide valuable lessons.
Apr 10, 2015
commentary

N.K. WMDs Carry Catastrophic Potential
The failure of the United States and South Korea to prevent North Korea from gaining significant quantities of weapons of mass destruction saddles those governments with serious military responsibilities, should North Korea go to war or should its government collapse.
Nov 19, 2014
q&a

Gulf War Illness: Still Looking for Answers
Bernard Rostker and Ross Anthony, RAND senior economists with expertise on Gulf War Illness (GWI), discuss a study by scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center that suggests the symptoms of GWI are biological in nature, and a GWI study RAND conducted more than a decade ago.
Jul 8, 2013
commentary

Anatomy of a War Game
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.
Jun 12, 2012
commentary

Securing America's Ports
Published commentary by RAND staff: Securing America's Ports, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Mar 26, 2006
commentary

Rereading the Duelfer Report
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Nov 15, 2004
commentary

How Can Individuals Be Better Prepared for Catastrophic Terrorist Attacks?
Published RAND commentary by RAND staff.
Jun 7, 2004
commentary

Why We Didn't Get the Picture
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Feb 1, 2004
commentary

N. Korea's Threat to S. Korea
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Mar 7, 2003
commentary

Iraq's Had Time to Really Hide Its Weapons Sites
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Sep 19, 2002
commentary

Deny Victory to Anthrax Terrorists
By keeping in mind the modest scope of the anthrax attacks and not overreacting, we deny the perpetrators of these attacks their objective of terrorizing us into doing what they want us to do. These anthrax cases do, however, highlight some areas for improvement in America's response that can help reduce fear and anxiety, thereby denying the terrorists their objective.
Oct 17, 2001
commentary

Re-Thinking U.S. Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Sep 21, 2001
commentary

The US Agricultural Sector: A New Target for Terrorism?
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Feb 9, 2001

Quoted

Mandatory evacuation orders are issued when disasters have potentially life-threatening impacts. Disaster after disaster, orders resulted in evacuations that have saved untold lives. Milton is rapidly intensifying and expected to be one of the largest hurricanes on record when it hits the United States. Staying in place could have severe, life-threatening consequences.

Aaron Clark-Ginsberg

Behavioral/Social Scientist
Source: rand.org
The mechanisms behind the apparent adverse effects of climate change on human health are not entirely understood. However, the need for pre-planning for these events to prevent poor health outcomes is clear. Especially among the most vulnerable populations, it is critical to develop and implement mitigating strategies.

Mahshid Abir

Senior Physician Policy Researcher, Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Source: rand.org