Pathogens as Weapons: The International Security Implications of Biological Warfare

Overview

In the first of two articles on biological weapons and the bioterrorist threat, Gregory Koblentz of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discusses the international security implications of biological weapons and the strategic consequences of their proliferation. Noting that previous studies have focused on assessing the potential lethality of these weapons, Koblentz expands his examination to include the role of biological weapons on four other key areas of concern: proliferation, deterrence, civil-military relations, and threat assessment. Koblentz looks at the influence of secrecy in all four areas and offers the following insight: not only does secrecy hinder verification; it also weakens deterrence, impedes civilian oversight, and complicates threat assessments.