Refocusing NATO's intelligence outlook towards biological warfare

Abstract

Today, we are attempting to manage chaos. With the end of the Cold War, a number of troubling developments in the world have been unleashed, especially the proliferation of WMD. Biological weapons are an increasing threat to world security. Nations and non-state actors are willing to sell or buy the necessary technologies for the production of biological weapons which can have disastrous effects on a military, an economy, and the environment. Despite major efforts in reducing worldwide nuclear and chemical capable threats, biological weapons require the same amount of attention if not more from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO must highlight the threat of biological warfare in current policies in order to educate political, military, and civilian leaders on biological warfare issues, deter the employment of biological weapons, and increase a sense of security within the Alliance. For far too long, the intelligence communities within the Alliance have definitely underestimated the biological programs of other nations and non-state actors. Refocusing the intelligence communities towards biological warfare will be of an enormous advantage for the Alliance. Intelligence stems from the policies and directives set forth by worldwide governments. New policies will enhance the efforts of intelligence agencies and increase the awareness of the ominously growing biological warfare threat. Hopefully, if policies change, then intelligence communities will refocus their efforts towards the new change: the increasing threat of biological warfare