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Biological Weapons and Warfare

Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Achieving the Trump Administration's National Biodefense Strategy
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Oct 2, 2018
RealClearDefense
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.
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Bioterrorism
commentary
A Countering Bioterrorism Facility Worth a Second Look
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jun 7, 2017
The Hill
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.
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Biotechnology
commentary
Can the Bioweapons Convention Survive Crispr?
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jul 29, 2016
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
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?
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Biological Weapons and Warfare
commentary
Russia on the Horns of a Nuclear Dilemma
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Feb 19, 2016
Foreign Policy Concepts
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.
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Nuclear Terrorism
commentary
Troubling Truth Beneath Litvinenko Headlines
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jan 21, 2016
CNN
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.
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Bioterrorism
commentary
Countering Bioterror
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jan 18, 2016
The Cipher Brief
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.
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Biological Weapons and Warfare
commentary
The U.S. Needs to Exercise Leadership at the Biological Weapons Convention
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Dec 28, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
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.
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Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Ebola and Syria's Chemical Weapons Show U.S. Can Leave Nothing to Chance
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jul 9, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
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.
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Biological Weapons and Warfare
commentary
To Know the Future of Biological Weapons, Look to the Past
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Apr 10, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
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.
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Weapons of Mass Destruction
commentary
N.K. WMDs Carry Catastrophic Potential
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Nov 19, 2014
The Korea Herald
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.
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Gulf War Illness
q&a
Gulf War Illness: Still Looking for Answers
Jul 8, 2013
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.
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Military Strategy
commentary
Anatomy of a War Game
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Jun 12, 2012
World Policy Blog
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.
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commentary
Securing America's Ports
Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, David S. Ortiz
Mar 26, 2006
San Diego Union-Tribune
Published commentary by RAND staff: Securing America's Ports, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
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commentary
Rereading the Duelfer Report
David E. Mosher, John V. Parachini
Nov 15, 2004
International Herald Tribune
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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commentary
How Can Individuals Be Better Prepared for Catastrophic Terrorist Attacks?
Lynn E. Davis
Jun 7, 2004
The Connection
Published RAND commentary by RAND staff.
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commentary
Why We Didn't Get the Picture
Bruce Berkowitz
Feb 1, 2004
Washington Post
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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commentary
N. Korea's Threat to S. Korea
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
Mar 7, 2003
United Press International
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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commentary
Iraq's Had Time to Really Hide Its Weapons Sites
John V. Parachini
Sep 19, 2002
Newsday
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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commentary
Deny Victory to Anthrax Terrorists
John V. Parachini
Oct 17, 2001
International Herald Tribune
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.
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commentary
Re-Thinking U.S. Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Peter Chalk
Sep 21, 2001
San Diego Union Tribune
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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commentary
The US Agricultural Sector: A New Target for Terrorism?
Peter Chalk
Feb 9, 2001
Jane's Intelligence Review
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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