Biological Threat Assessments Meet Scrutiny from Global Powers
Officials from the Pentagon have highlighted concerns about the ongoing development of biological weapons programs by several nations, including Russia. This stance appears in a Defense Department assessment focused on strengthening protection against biological threats.
According to the document, the United States views North Korea and Russia as continuing aggressive biological weapons initiatives and notes concerns about Iran’s activities as well. The document stops short of detailing the specific evidence behind these conclusions.
The report also notes that Russia has not fully acknowledged the existence of former Soviet programs and has not provided evidence of their elimination. This point is presented in the context of ongoing verification and transparency expectations under international accords.
On August 16, military officials in Russia stated that the United States may conduct a broad range of applied research involving dangerous pathogens that could be components of biological weapons. This assertion was shared by the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov.
Previously, Kirillov claimed that some American experiments with mosquitoes could create artificial foci of disease, arguing that U.S. military scientists have advanced methods for adapting and breeding vectors found in various environments.
In June, during a briefing, the head of Russia’s RCBD troops commented on the hypothetical creation of artificial infection zones in the course of military biological research by the United States.
Earlier communications from the Russian Defense Ministry described U.S. insect-based delivery methods for disseminating infection. This topic has remained a focal point in public discussions about international norms and verification measures concerning biological threats.