A Bioterrorism Prevention Strategy for the 21st Century
Abstract
The United States and the entire world have not effectively dealt with curtailing the significant research and development in bioweaponry over the past several decades. A new terrorist mentality, coupled with the increasing gains in biotechnology caused the United States to significantly alter the policy and funding for weapons of mass destruction defense. However, this approach has been fragmented and uncoordinated at state and national levels. The results of the anthrax attack and multiple wargames revealed that the United States is currently ill prepared to prevent or deter a bioterrorism attack against it's homeland and protect the citizens. A proper risk assessment must be undertaken at the national and international level so that resources commensurate with the risk can be applied to this threat. This paper will discuss this risk assessment, and then develop a new doctrine of deterrence and dissuasion and apply this doctrine to the current US strategy for bioterrorism defense. A recommendation to consolidate all biological defense funding, research, and coordination under the Department of Homeland Defense is presented. An aggressive strategy of detection, prevention from acquisition, protection of the US population and resources is developed. The United States must take the lead on this threat as the only superpower with adequate resources and technology to prevent a catastrophic attack.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 19, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA415433
Entities
People
- Brian C. Lein
Organizations
- United States Army War College