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The Clock is Ticking: A Progress Report on America’s Preparedness to Prevent Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
Title: The Clock is Ticking: A Progress Report on America’s Preparedness to Prevent Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
Institution: Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
Bibliographic Entry: “The Clock is Ticking: A Progress Report on America’s Preparedness to Prevent Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.” October 21, 2009. Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. http://www.preventwmd.gov/static/docs/report/WMDRpt10-20Final.pdf (Accessed November 4, 2009).
Electronic Link: http://www.preventwmd.gov/static/docs/report/WMDRpt10-20Final.pdf
Key Words: WMDs, nuclear weapons, biological weapons, bioterrorism, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, HHS, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), BioSheild, IAEA, Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), nuclear proliferation, vaccines, therapeutics
Summary of Key Issues, Points, Conclusions: This report is a conclusion to a Congressionally mandated report called World at Risk which addressed the importance of preparedness in the event of bioterrorism. The Commission found that terrorists are more likely to have biological weapons than nuclear weapons and the United States is not prepared for such an attack. The level of preparedness for nuclear weapons is significantly higher than for a biological attack. The U.S. should start by understanding the approach to bioterrorism is different than that of any other threat. Additionally, the U.S. needs to be able to develop “vaccines and therapeutics” in the most cost and time effective manner. The report explains the short-term goal should be to minimize the effects of a biological attack. In the long-term, the U.S. should aim to advance “post-attack capabilities” for quick “recognition, response, and recovery” so that bioterrorism will not be deemed a weapon of mass destruction. The report is further broken up into four sections to discuss ways to address threats:
- Biological weapons proliferation and terrorism: threats of bioterrorism need a focus on “rapid recognition, response, and recovery”
- Nuclear weapons proliferation and terrorism: nuclear threats call for a focus on prevention
- Government organization and culture: government reform is required to eradicate bureaucratic faults and useless oversight
- Role of the citizen: “a well-informed, organized, and mobilized citizenry” is a necessary resource
Lastly, the Commission provides thirteen recommendations including:
- The President should start a comprehensive review of nuclear security programs, as well as develop global strategies
- The next administration must work to stop the nuclear threat of Iran and North Korea
- Policy which directly works with Pakistan and it’s security should be implemented
- The government should aim to improve relations with Russia and jointly work to decrease the threat of nuclear and biological weapons
- The new administration must engage and encourage participation by the American citizens
Date Posted: 11/4/09