FAS: Preventing Catastrophic Threats
Homeland Security Digital Library Blog 2012-11-27
Summary:
Recommendations to Prevent Catastrophic Threats
Three days after the 2012 election, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) held a symposium about catastrophic threats facing the United States. A group of national security experts presented policy memoranda on a wide variety of topics, including: nuclear terrorism; nuclear weapons policy; cyber attacks on critical infrastructure; chemical and biological weapons; illicit small arms; science diplomacy; energy policy; and other key issues. This report was the end result of the conference.
The report seeks to answer the following questions: "What are the major national security threats facing the United States? How is science and technology connected to national security? What can the next U.S. president do to prepare for a potential disaster?" It recommends "a coordinated national effort to prepare for, prevent, and respond to catastrophic threats to the United States."
Interested readers should open the report for more details on the 13 policy issues and recommendations.