In the article, "Assessing the Biological Weapons Threat," the author, Zachary Selden, approaches the threat that the United States has towards the use of biological weapons and the measures as to which the world community is fighting it. In detail, he alerts the reader about the different threats of biological weapons, the international efforts being used to counter-act the threats, and three ways being used to deter the threats. .
Selden explains that the next grave threat of terrorism is the use of biological weapons because the level of sophistication is quite low and the accessibility of such items is in excess. The expertise needed to make such weapons requires only a college degree of biology. The equipment is commercially accessible due to the global market, essentially making it as easy as going to the grocery store to acquire the items needed. Another reason as to why terrorists would choose BW's over nuclear weapons is the fact that it takes only a short couple of days to produce a small amount of chemical to kill hundred of thousands of people. .
Going on, Selden then discusses the treaty that banned the use of biological weapons in 1972. The treaty, devised by the Biological Weapons Convention, originally stated that it was only required to consult and cooperate on the use of such weapons. Over the years, threats have been disarmed, so in reaction to such threats the nations have come together over the years to further expand the treaty: (1) Adding the power to enter a third party of experts to deal with the problem between each country (2) All parties are obligated to report any maximum biological containment facilities (3) Ability to send inspection regimes to detect the possibility of any such weapons.
In accordance of the treaty, Selden then further discusses the actions being taken as a defense plan in the event that a nation does use a BW. He explains that there are three defense possibilities in conference between the nations.
