Former Homeland Security Council Chairman Frances Fragos Townsend says that the federal government faces challenges to attract and retain personnel who understand detection and attribution of weapons of mass destruction. Specifically, Townsend says the federal government should recruit personnel with backgrounds in intelligence and analysis of threats. (0:47)
Former Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) articulated the possible scenarios for a biological terrorist attack at a press conference Tuesday to introduce a new bill drafted by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. According to Talent, these scenarios could include strikes during large public gatherings and massive loss of life. (1:10)
By Celia Canon- Talk Radio News Service
As the U.S-Russia summit from July 6th-8th nears, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, who spoke at the Center for American Progress Thursday, delivered an optimistic message on the chances of cooperation between the two nations based on goals that both share.
“The distrust is long, it’s deep, but in my opinion it’s not irresponsible… [President Obama] has to decide what the nature of our relationship is going to be with Russia. He has to identify 5 or 6 areas of potential cooperation,” said Cohen.
Russian political experts and Washington think-tanks alike believe the upcoming summit could produce a renewal in Russo-American ties.
Cohen and Dr. Samuel Charap, a Fellow at the Center for American Progress, identified six points of common interest between the U.S. and Russia: Arms control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, stability and security for the former Soviet region, the fight against violent extremism, the introduction of Russia to Western organizations such as the WTO, energy conservation, and the health and wellness of the two populations.
On the scheduled expiration of START, ratified by Russia and the United States in 1991 to achieve a dramatic reduction in strategic forces, Cohen said “If President Obama and his counterparts are dedicated to doing that [complete the renewal of START by the end of the year], it’s achievable.”
Cohen reiterated the importance of Russia’s role in foreign affairs, indicating that “the non proliferation of weapons of mass destruction: we both have interests in that; curbing Iranian and North Korean nuclear ambitions. Frankly I don’t really think we will be able to solve Iran’s ambitions for nuclear weapons capability without the help of Russia. Russia will have far more leverage than we will. The question is are they going to be wiling to exercise that leverage in their dealings with Iran. They have serious commercial interests in Iran…”
Charap agreed with Cohen that the U.S. should include Russia in international organizations.
“The administration’s policies should be guided by the long term goal of integrating Russia into western and other international institutions. integration in these structures, rather than isolation from them is in the U.S national interest because they require greater accountability,” said Charap.
In addition to national security issues, Cohen also discussed economic benefits of renewed ties between the two nations.
“[Russians] need to have Western investment and it has not exactly been a hospitable environment for Western investment. There are serious questions remaining concerning the rule of law… and safe investment,” said Cohen, adding that “The U.S should encourage the development of a democratic Russia that observes the universal values of human rights, political pluralism and the rule of law” in order to encourage foreign direct investment.
Richard Bush, a Senior Fellow and Director for the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, discusses the North Korean point of view on the U.S being a threat and how Pyong Yang tries to deal with this threat. (0:28)
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism chairman Bob Graham suggested improving protection for the high containment labs where pathogens are created by standardizing them (0:41).
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism co-chair Jim Talent says that it would be easier for terrorists to obtain a biological weapon than a nuclear weapon, and that a biological weapon may prove to be more dangerous since it could be used more than once (0:29).
In his speech addressing Congress before the full committee hearing on his nomination to be reappointed to grade of general and to be commander of the United States Central Command, General David Petraeus said there are four concerns. The first is violent extremism, including but not limited to al Qaida. Second, weapons of mass destruction and lack of transparency by countries such as Iran, which he said is a major cause of concern. Third, lack of sustainable economic development in the Middle East, which is a serious security concern, as poor communities can cause hotbeds of extremism. Fourth, narcotics and arms smuggling which can threaten legitimate operations and can help out terrorists. While this is not an exhaustive list, he said, this is a basic list. (more…)
