WMD Symposium
Policy & Research Forum Special Event
October 21, 2009
Event video provided courtesy of GW's Elliott School of International Affairs. View more events from the Elliott School.
--
Summary
On October 21, 2009, HSPI and the Elliott School of International Affairs together welcomed former Senators Bob Graham and Jim Talent, the Chair and Vice Chair of the bipartisan Commission for the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, to present their interim report on government efforts to safeguard against the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Douglas B. Shaw, Associate Dean for Planning, Research, and External Relations at the Elliott School and assistant professor of international affairs, opened the event. Frank Cilluffo, HSPI's Director, moderated the discussion.
Senator Graham called the interim report "a wake-up call for Congress and the Administration." He stressed that, "in spite of all we have done since 9/11, the United States is today more vulnerable to a weapon of mass destruction that we were in 2001." In turn, Senator Talent reinforced that "these threats are real. ...The difficult part is maintaining focus. No one wants to see a WMD event, but you have to keep the issue out there and get these issues built into decision-making processes." Graham and Talent cited the conclusion of the Commission's 2008 report, World at Risk: "Unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013." The assessment also said that the threat of biological attack is more likely than nuclear. When asked about the U.S. level of preparedness for a biological event, they noted the importance of the full spectrum of elements that provide protection and response capability, including laboratory security, pathogen detection, and the stockpiling and distribution of antidotes.
During the question-and-answer session, Mr. Cilluffo asked, "What are the tangible outcomes that you would like to see come out of this Congress and this Administration?" Graham and Talent replied that the President should task someone with the necessary clout and gravitas, such as the Vice President, to maintain focus upon and oversee WMD issues. In addition, congressional oversight must be streamlined. WWhen asked by Carie Lemack of the organization Families of September 11, how this could be done, Graham and Talent said congressional leaders should move to eliminate legacy jurisdictions and reduce the complexity of the current system in which more than eighty committees exercise some form of control.
Senators Graham and Talent also mentioned an upcoming project, www.FasterVaccines.org, which also focuses on biopreparedeness.
--
Background Information
Led by former Senators Bob Graham (bio) and Jim Talent (bio), the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation & Terrorism, established by House Resolution 1, implements a key recommendation of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 
Commission to address the grave threat that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction poses to our country.
In its first year, the Commission assessed the nation’s current activities, initiatives, and programs aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism while providing a clear, comprehensive strategy with concrete recommendations to achieve this crucial goal. The Commission issued its report in December 2008.
During its second year of activity, the Commission is working to improve understanding of its findings--and to turn those concrete recommendations into actions.
HSPI recommends the following sources for additional reading:
Commission Resources
Commission for the Prevention of WMD website, especially Commission's December 2008 World At Risk Report
S.1649: "WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009" | For a one-page summary of the bill or a section-by-section breakdown, visit the Commission website here.
Other Resources
Agence France-Presse (2009) “Russia to adopt 1st strike nuke policy: official.”
Allison, Graham. (2009) “Don’t underestimate nuclear terror threat.” The Detroit News
Center for Biosecurity, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. (2009) "Prevention of Biothreats: A Look Ahead" Conference proceedings.
Graham, Bob and Jim Talent. (2009) “Bioterrorism: Redefining Prevention.” Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science.
Lambrecht, Bill. (2009) “Talent keeps focus on terror.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch
McCarter, Mickey. (2009) “Graham, Talent call for extra steps in WMD bill.” HS Today
Scowcroft, Brent, Joseph Nye, and Nicholas Burns. (2009) “US, Russia must lead on arms control.” Brookings
Sternberg, Steve. (2009) “Behind the scenes, system sniffs for biological attacks.” USA Today
--
The HSPI Policy & Research Forum series is designed to spotlight cutting-edge policy solutions and innovative strategies to some of the most pressing national and international concerns. The Forum features leading officials, practitioners and thinkers in a systematic way designed to better highlight their work and promote a dialogue on effective solutions to current issues.