Biodefense and Deterrence: A Critical Element in the New Triad - Anthrax Attacks of 2001, Nuclear Weapons Stockpile, China, Russia, Biological Threat, WMD, Biowarfare Weaponization, NATO

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this unique book examines the nation's posture toward biodefense in an increasingly complex national security environment.

This paper will argue that the United States needs to move beyond the kinetic strike (both nuclear and conventional) aspects of deterrence to look at the problem in a more holistic manner, specifically addressing the matter of deterring or defeating a biological attack. The United States will need to develop its biodefensive and "bioforensic" capabilities in order to convince potential aggressors that they cannot successfully coerce the United States by threatening a biological attack. If attacked, the United States must have the ability to withstand the attack, identify the attacker, and respond appropriately. If the United States is unable to successfully deter or respond to an attack, it will set a dangerous precedent and send a message to adversaries and "would be" aggressors that the U.S. is subject to coercion through the threat of biological warfare.

In presenting the argument, this paper will first review the effects of the anthrax attacks of 2001, examine current deterrence arguments, and discuss the role of nuclear weapons and the New Triad. It will then discuss the likely operating environment and biological threat in the 2035 timeframe in order to arrive at biodefense imperatives for the United States as it moves beyond classic, "old triad" thinking and deterrence concepts in order to sufficiently deter or defend against a looming and growing biological warfare threat.
Chapter I - Introduction * Chapter II - The Anthrax Attacks of 2001 * Chapter III - Deterrence Revisited * Chapter IV- Nuclear Weapons and The New Triad * Chapter V - The Future Operating Environment * Relative Decline in U.S. Power * China and Russia * The Advancement and Diffusion of Technology * Declining Power of the State * Chapter VI - The Biological Threat * International Agreements and Proliferation * Attributes of Biological Weapons * Biotechnological Horizons * Chapter VII - Biodefense Imperatives * Chapter VIII - Recommendations and Conclusion * Recommendations * Conclusion