The Threat Of Biological Warfare Is Increasing, And The U.S. Isn’t Ready
By Loren Thompson, Senior Contributor – I write about national security, especially its business dimensions.
During the Cold War, the big threats to national security changed little from year to year. Because threats were predictable, the U.S. government was able to mount a focused, effective response that prevented World War Three.
Today, threats are harder to anticipate. From the use of jetliners in the 9-11 attacks to the appearance of improvised explosive devices in Iraq to the growing use of drones by our enemies to the proliferation of cyber threats, policymakers are continuously being confronted by unexpected challenges.
The military has a catchall term for such dangers. It calls them “asymmetric threats,” meaning threats that attack us where we are least prepared. It is nearly impossible to mount a focused, effective response because the threats and their perpetrators are too diverse. If you can imagine something bad, it’s probably going to happen. We just don’t know when or where.
America On Coffee 