Biological & Chemical Weapons
Chemical and biological weapons share a characteristic distinct from nuclear weapons: fairly easily acquired raw materials (for most pathogens or chemicals) that either have legitimate uses or occur naturally. Stimson's work on this topic focuses on the history of biological and chemical weapons, measures to control their proliferation (including domestic laws and international regimes), and weapons destruction technologies. Technical reports examine the likelihood of terrorism involving chemical and biological weapons, as well as technologies and policies to prevent or counter their use.
Latest Research
September 09, 2010
Biosecurity and Dual-Use Technologies
Dual-use technologies can be applied to a purpose outside of the original intent, whether beneficially (as when a technology developed for the military also proves useful in the commercial or public sector), or maliciously. The anthrax assaults of 2001 drew…Read More »
January 12, 2010
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By
Brian Finlay
Pharmaceutical Terror: Getting Health Care Reform Right
From a public health perspective, there is much to celebrate among the many competing health care reform proposals that have been offered on Capitol Hill. Yet one underlying and potentially worrisome subtext to almost all existing reform options is a…Read More »
June 20, 2009
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By
Elizabeth Turpen
Achieving Nonproliferation Goals: Moving From Denial to Technology Governance
June 2009 Policy Analysis Brief for The Stanley Foundation Traditional state-centric approaches to nonproliferation cannot adequately address the proliferation pressures that will continue to mount under globalization. The diffusion of technology and the rise of nonstate actors will…Read More »
May 06, 2009
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By
Brian Finlay,
Elizabeth Turpen,
Barry Blechman,
Michael Krepon
Presidential Inbox 2009: The First 100 Days
Presidential Inbox 2009: The First 100 Days The first 100 days of any administration are filled with tough choices and breaks from past policies. This administration is no different. In the lead-up to the election, Stimson experts identified…Read More »
February 18, 2009
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By
Brian Finlay
Minding Our Business: The Role of the Private Sector in Managing the WMD Supply Chain
States and terrorist organizations can easily exploit legitimate businesses up and down the supply chain to obtain dual-use knowledge and technologies. In today's security environment, a diverse set of forces is gathering, presenting a growing challenge to the practicality of…Read More »
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Videos
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August 30, 2010
Lexington Insurance Homeland Security Series: WMD terrorism -
Finding a Solution to Bioterror