World at Risk: The Report of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism

by Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, Bob Graham, Jim Talent

Synopsis

"The greatest danger of another catastrophic attack in the United States will materialize if the world's most dangerous terrorists acquire the world's most dangerous weapons." -- The 9/11 Report

On May 18, 2008, Congress established the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, a bipartisan committee charged with investigating the nation's approach to halting the spread of nuclear and biological weapons.

Recommended by the 9/11 Commission and mandated by Congress, the Commission's report will serve as a measure for the next Administration's national security strategy. Both Senators McCain and Obama have acknowledged that terrorist acquisition of a nuclear or biological weapon is the greatest threat to national security; this is the first Commission to examine how well the United States has prepared itself to prevent such a threat. The Report analyzes the current threat posed by WMDs, assesses how well our government is positioned to respond to WMDs, and makes recommendations on what the next President and Congress must do in order to better prevent this threat. Since May, the Commission has interviewed over 200 experts inside and outside of government. They have met with counterterrorism and intelligence officials at home and abroad who are working to stop proliferation and terrorism.

The report is expected to include information about U. S. counterproliferation efforts across the globe. Its findings might pressure the next administration to overhaul the government's national-security operations. It is also expected to identify bioterrorism as the nation's greatest threat. "My own assessment at this point is the more likely form ofattack is going to be in a biological weapon," said Graham, who adds that we are "very exposed" to biological attacks.

Several commissioners are focused on threats from countries that possess or aspire to make nuclear weapons, such as Pakistan, Iran and North Korea. Some urge U.S. counterproliferation efforts to pay stronger attention to Pakistan as the government grows more unstable. They identify the need to prevent others from emulating A. Q. Khan, who pioneered the development of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and traded in weapons technology.

Written as a clear, compelling narrative, the Report is poised to be a ground-breaking, headline-making event. This is a true benchmark in American foreign policy.

Biography

Established by House Resolution 1 in May 2008, the Commission of the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism is chaired by former Senator Bob Graham.
Members of this bipartisan committee include Vice-Chairman Jim Talent, Timothy J. Roemer, Wendy R. Sherman, Graham T. Allison, Richard Verma, Henry Sokolski, Stephen Rademaker, and Robin Cleveland.

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Vintage to Publish World At Risk "Instant Book" Tomorrow

By Dermot McEvoy -- Publishers Weekly, 12/2/2008 6:48:00 AM

Vintage will publish an "instant book" about the threat of WMDs to United States security. World At Risk: The Report of the Commission of the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism by Senator Bob Graham, chairman, and Senator Jim Talent, vice chairman, along with other commission members, will be published in a Vintage paperback original and retail at $10.95. Vintage will release the book tomorrow, the same day the commission will report its findings to President Bush, Vice President-elect Biden and the joint Congressional Leadership.

Recommended by the 9/11 commission and mandated by Congress, the Commission for the Prevention of WMD Proliferation’s report will serve as a measure for the next Administration’s national security strategy. This is the first commission to examine how well the U. S. has prepared itself to prevent such a threat. World at Risk analyzes the current threat posed by WMDs, assesses how well our government is positioned to respond to WMDs, and makes recommendations on what President-elect Obama and Congress must do in order to better prevent this threat. Since May, the commission has interviewed more than 200 experts inside and outside of government. "My own assessment at this point is the more likely form of attack is going to be in a biological weapon," said commission chairman, Senator Graham, who adds that we are "very exposed" to biological attacks.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6618836.html

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In an interview on FoxNews today, Senator Graham is concerned that such an attack will occur by 2013. He is concerned about anthrax & the flu as well as other bio-weapons.