Feb. 12, 2021
Biodefense and the return to great-power competition
Dr. Gerald Epstein's latest article in The Nonproliferation Review explores the increased likelihood of the development and potential use of biological weapons by Russia and China. This paper is part of a special issue on chemical and biological warfare that is being published in memory of Raymond A. Zilinskas.
Feb. 1, 2021
The Future of Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Update
In an update to their 2014 paper on the future of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), John P. Caves, Jr., and W. Seth Carus assess and offer policy considerations on the significant geopolitical and technological developments shaping the future of WMD since 2014.
Jan. 27, 2021
China’s Hypersonic Weapons
Bernstein and Hancock identify potential strategic and operational issues that will need to be addressed as China's hypersonic capabilities mature.
Dec. 9, 2020
The biosecurity benefits of genetic engineering attribution
In a recent volume of Nature Communications, Dr. Gerald Epstein and colleagues examine the biosecurity benefits of genetic engineering attribution. This paper is a policy companion piece to a technical paper, published in the same issue, announcing new results in using machine learning to recognize the source of a genetically engineered DNA.
Dec. 1, 2020
The rise of the futurists: The perils of predicting with futurethink
In this paper, Dr. Alexander H. Montgomery and Dr. Amy J. Nelson explore probabilistic and possibilistic approaches to uncertainty related to AI, outline their potential advantages and disadvantages, and identify common biases that hinder good prediction.
Nov. 19, 2020
Book Review: Shadows on the Wall: Deterrence and Disarmament
In the latest edition of Joint Force Quarterly, Dr. John Mark Mattox reviews "Shadows on the Wall: Deterrence and Disarmament" by Keith B. Payne.
Social Media Weaponization: The Biohazard of Russian Disinformation Campaigns
In the latest edition of Joint Force Quarterly, Ms. Sarah Jacobs Gamberini describes the methods and goals of Russia’s influence operations, assesses the implications for targeting matters of public health, and provides whole-of-society recommendations for countering its influence.
Nov. 10, 2020
Security Implications of Emerging Biotechnologies
June 2016 — On April 26th, 2016, the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction (CSWMD) at National Defense University held a workshop to explore “Security Implications of Emerging Biotechnologies.” Participants from government, NGOs and academia discussed opportunities and challenges of a new era of biotechnology.
Nov. 4, 2020
Strategic Assessment 2020: Into a New Era of Great Power Competition
The complete "Strategic Assessment 2020: Into a New Era of Great Power Competition" includes selections from researchers in the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) and the WMD Center. To read the work of Paul Bernstein, Justin Anderson, Diane DiEuliis, Gerald Epstein, and Amanda Moodie, navigate to pages 105 and 169 or view our publications page.
Strategic Assessment 2020: Into a New Era of Great Power Competition Oct. 26, 2020
Weapons of Mass Destruction, Strategic Deterrence, and Great Power Competition
Mr. Paul Bernstein and others examine the role of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons in great power competition in the 2020 Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) Strategic Assessment.