Biological Weapons and Warfare

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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?

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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.

Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett

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.

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.

Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett

commentary

Securing America's Ports

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

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, David S. Ortiz

commentary

Rereading the Duelfer Report

Published commentary by RAND staff.

David E. Mosher, John V. Parachini @JohnParachini

commentary

How Can Individuals Be Better Prepared for Catastrophic Terrorist Attacks?

Published RAND commentary by RAND staff.

Lynn E. Davis

commentary

Why We Didn't Get the Picture

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Bruce Berkowitz

commentary

N. Korea's Threat to S. Korea

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett

commentary

Iraq's Had Time to Really Hide Its Weapons Sites

Published commentary by RAND staff.

John V. Parachini @JohnParachini

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.

John V. Parachini @JohnParachini

commentary

Re-Thinking U.S. Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Peter Chalk

commentary

The US Agricultural Sector: A New Target for Terrorism?

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Peter Chalk