Diversion of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Expertise from the Former Soviet Union
Understanding an Evolving Problem
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Since the early 1990s, the United States has been concerned about the diversion of expertise and sensitive information from the nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons complexes of the former Soviet Union (FSU). This documented briefing offers an assessment of the threat of diversion from the FSU and examines each of its key components, including the nation-states and individuals who seek to illicitly acquire NBC weapons expertise and the institutions and individuals who already have it. The authors argue that the threat goes beyond just scientists to highly skilled technicians, retirees, and key administrative and support personnel who can provide sensitive information. The authors further argue that applying a simple supply-and-demand model to the problem of proliferation overlooks the critical role that various barriers and disincentives to proliferation have played in keeping the actual number of cases of diversion low.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Introduction and Analytical Approach
Chapter Two
Supply of Proliferation-Critical Knowledge
Chapter Three
Demand for Proliferation-Critical Knowledge
Chapter Four
Barriers to Knowledge Transfer
Chapter Five
Key Findings and Policy Implications
Research conducted by
The research described in this briefing was prepared for the United States Department of Energy. This research was conducted within the RAND National Security Research Division, which conducts research and analysis for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Commands, the defense agencies, the Department of the Navy, the U.S. intelligence community, allied foreign governments, and foundations.
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