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Government Earns "C" for WMD Terrorism Prevention and "C-" for Bioterrorism Prevention

By Amesh Adalja, September 15, 2008

On September 10, 2008, the Partnership for a Secure America released a study of U.S. efforts to prevent WMD terrorism. Released as a WMD prevention report card, the study is intended to guide the next president and the U.S. Congress in prioritizing WMD terrorism prevention. Led by former 9/11 Commission vice chairman and Congressman Lee Hamilton as well as former Senator Slade Gorton, the study was conducted to assess U.S. government progress on a number of recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Overall, the Partnership for a Secure America assigned the U.S. government a grade of C for its WMD prevention efforts and a grade of C- specifically for biological terrorism prevention.¹

The Partnership for a Secure America’s assessment emphasized the 9/11 Commission’s conclusion that maximum effort is required to protect the U.S. from a major terrorist attack. The study offered 3 overarching observations and recommendations for general WMD terrorism prevention:

1. Because there is no top official in charge of WMD prevention, bureaucratic inertia and lack of coordination have compromised implementation of security measures. The authors recommend the creation of a top-level official position responsible for government-wide decisions on funding and programs on nuclear, chemical, and biological WMD prevention.
2. A strategic plan is necessary to address missing linkages among existing programs and because the current patchwork of programs does not “naturally cohere into an effective whole.” The authors recommend the development of a strategic plan that links relevant government programs together and coordinates implementation.
3. There is a need for international cooperation, because “terrorism does not respect borders” and “the United States cannot be safe working alone.”¹ The study authors recommend the strengthening of international cooperation in the form of better utilization of multilateral and bilateral institutions as well as regional ties.¹

With specific regard to the biological terrorism prevention report card, 6 categories were identified and individually graded.²

1. Denial of access to bioterror agents: B
2. Detection of covert bioterror preparations: C-
3. Interdiction by law enforcement: B-
4. Confidence building—distinguishing legitimate science and biodefense from threats: D+
5. Resilience—new vaccines and drugs: C-
6. Mitigation—global public health preparedness and response: B

In addition to the individual grades, the following recommendations were made for enhancing biosecurity:

• Promote the development of global biosecurity standards, national registries of high-risk pathogens, and a system to track transfers of pathogens and materials.
• Pursue multilateral efforts to strengthen national and international law enforcement capabilities against bioterror.
• Lead negotiations on transparency measures to promote compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention.
• Promote enhanced detection capabilities through improvements in surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory investigation, and information sharing as well as effective delivery of countermeasures.
• Designate a government official to review bioterrorism prevention policies, assess priorities, identify gaps, and enable synergy.
• Advocate designation of a global authority to coordinate programs, anticipate changes in the life sciences and promote capacity-building and international cooperation.^1,2

References

1. WMD Report Card. Partnership for a Secure America. 2008. http://www.psaonline.org/downloads/ReportCard%208-25-08.pdf. Accessed September 10, 2008.
2. Kellman B. Biological Terrorism. Partnership for a Secure America. 2008. http://www.psaonline.org/downloads/BIOLOGICAL%20report%208-28-08.pdf. Accessed September 10, 2008.