Towards a Coherent Strategy for Combating Biological Weapons of Mass Destruction
Abstract
The proliferation of Biological Weapons of Mass Destruction represents a major challenge to our National Security. Biological warfare is one of the oldest forms of warfare: It existed prior to the discovery of bacteria and germ theory. The conventional military superiority of the United States, the recent huge advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering, and the international uncertainty of ill-defined future threats, have allowed this type of asymmetrical warfare to become more probable as a weapon of choice by adversary nations, groups, and individuals. There are no trends which can lead us to believe that biological weapons will not be used in a future battlespace. On the contrary, all indications reveal that biological agent use will become a standard method of warfare, an expected condition of war. Yet, the United States has failed to develop a coherent strategy to combat this known threat. The necessary Department of Defense joint doctrine for the defense against biological agents on a battlefield has not been written. The time has come to brake the paradigms in United States' strategy; to correct the shortfalls in the defense against biological agent use; and to ensure that the military will operate successfully in the biologically contaminated environment of the future. The United States military must take a proactive approach to doctrine verses the traditional impetus for doctrinal development as a reaction to military disaster.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA308957
Entities
People
- Philip Volpe
Organizations
- United States Army War College