National Security

National Academies Sponsor Counterterrorism Workshop

ABC News correspondent John McWethy and National Academy of Engineering members Ruth David and Siegfried Hecker are among the journalists, scientists, and emergency management officials who participated in a counterterrorism workshop co-sponsored by the National Academies. The event -- held Tuesday, April 20 at the annual meeting of the Radio-Television News Directors Association in Las Vegas -- focused on how best to keep the public informed during a terrorist incident.


Army, Homeland Security Should Collaborate

The US Department of Defense, particularly the Army, should help the US Department of Homeland Security develop technologies that emergency responders can use to react to a major disaster or terrorist attack, says a new report from the National Academies' Board on Army Science and Technology. Such collaboration could get needed technologies into the hands of local responders sooner.


Workshops Focus on News Response to Terrorism

Keeping the public informed during a terrorist attack is the topic of a new national workshop series co-sponsored by the National Academies and the US Department of Homeland Security. Local experts will provide reporters, state and local public information officers, and emergency managers with frank, objective information about weapons of mass destruction and their impact. Workshops will also include interactive, simulated attack scenarios.


Ongoing, Systematic Assessments of Bioterror Preparedness Necessary

To prepare for possible future bioterrorism attacks, public health officials and policymakers should balance national security concerns with the need for accurate, credible scientific information, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. The Committee on Smallpox Vaccination Implementation also urged health agencies to set goals with state and local partners so that the nation's readiness can be measured and improved.


Prompt Measures Needed to Reduce Potential Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Risks

Spent nuclear fuel stored in pools at some of the nation's 103 operating commercial nuclear reactors may be at risk from terrorist attacks, says a new report from the National Academies' Board on Radioactive Waste Management. The report calls on the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct plant-by-plant analyses to obtain a better understanding of potential risks and to ensure that power-plant operators take prompt and effective measures to reduce the possible consequences of terrorist attacks.


'Bunker Busters' Not Deep Enough to Avoid Ground Casualties

A nuclear weapon that is exploded underground can destroy a deeply buried bunker efficiently and requires significantly less power to do so than would a nuclear weapon detonated on the surface, says a new report from the National Research Council. However, such "earth-penetrating" nuclear weapons cannot go deep enough to avoid massive casualties at ground level.


Monitoring Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear-Explosive

In the United States and many other countries, policymakers are working to minimize the proliferation of nuclear weapons, prevent terrorists from acquiring them, and reduce the risks posed by existing nuclear arsenals. A new report from the National Academies outlines technical and collaborative approaches that could help leaders meet these goals.


Public Buildings Should Prepare for Biological Attack

Facility managers of government offices, airports, and other high-profile public buildings should form operations working groups to develop plans for responding to a biological attack, says a new report from the National Research Council. The groups should include all relevant stakeholders, including employees who work in the buildings, and the public should participate in decisions about when to reopen a facility after an attack.


Academies' Presidents Comment on US Commerce Dept. Proposal

Recommended changes in export policy from the Office of the Inspector General of the US Department of Commerce would weaken both national security and economic competitiveness, says a statement from the National Academies' presidents. American innovation and research in science, engineering, and health care could be dramatically impeded. Proposed changes must be further clarified before any actions are taken, the statement says.


PNAS Publishes Article on Protecting the Milk Supply

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) announces publication of "Analyzing a Bioterror Attack on the Food Supply: The Case of Botulinum Toxin in Milk," an article by Lawrence M. Wein and Yifan Liu of Stanford University that describes a mathematical model of the use of botulinum toxin in a terrorist attack on the US milk supply. It also considers the potential consequences of such an attack. This article and an accompanying editorial by National Academy of Sciences President Bruce Alberts are available online. Both will appear in the July 12, 2005, print edition of PNAS.


Future US Leadership in Materials R&D Questioned

While the United States remains a world leader in materials research and development, competition from new materials R&D centers worldwide could weaken the nation's position in this field, says a new report from the National Research Council. The federal government should define a national strategy to foster international collaboration and to ensure that future national security needs in materials R&D can be addressed, the report says.


Leadership, Plan Needed to Thwart Microbial Threats

The system for intercepting microbial threats at the nation's airports, seaports, and borders needs strategic leadership and a comprehensive plan to meet the challenges posed by emerging diseases and bioterrorist threats, says a new Institute of Medicine report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials involved in quarantine activities should be given the responsibility, authority, and resources to lead the effort.


Review of DOD Research Program on Low-Level Exposures to Chemical Warfare Agents

Research on chemical warfare agents (CWAs) has historically focused on life-threatening battlefield effects caused by high-level exposures to the agents, not effects associated with exposures to low concentrations. While low-level exposures may not have immediate observed health effects they may produce delayed health effects months or years later. This report reviews the Department of Defense (DOD) Research Plan for obtaining toxicologic and other relevant data to assess risk to military personnel. The CWAs of concern include sarin, cyclosarin, and sulfur mustard, among others. The report provides guidance on appropriate methods for assessing toxicologic risk to military personnel from low-level exposures to CWAs.


National Academies Comment on Proposed Export-Control Rule

In a letter to the US Department of Defense, the presidents of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine expressed concern about proposed rule changes to DOD contracts involving "export-controlled" information and technology. Although the presidents did not question the appropriateness of regulations intended to prevent unauthorized disclosure of such information and technology to foreigners, they said the proposed changes will have impacts well beyond the department's stated intent and will create ambiguities that impede the very compliance DOD is seeking. Their comments are based on discussions during meetings and workshops held at the Academies.


National Academies Release Fact Sheets on Terrorist Attacks

Fact sheets that provide useful information on four types of potential terrorist attacks -- biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological -- are now available to the public. These valuable resources were produced as part of a National Academy of Engineering-led project with the US Department of Homeland Security and the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation.


Protecting Chemical Infrastructure Requires R&D, Communication

Researching and developing new technologies, along with effective communication, are among the best ways to minimize the possibility or consequences of a terrorist attack on the nation's chemical infrastructure, says a new National Research Council report that examines vulnerabilities in the chemical supply chain. The US Department of Homeland Security should pursue research to improve emergency response, strengthen chemical storage and monitoring, foster the use of safer chemical processes, and better understand likely public reaction to an attack.


Better Use of Geospatial Tools Needed in Disaster Management

When dealing with major disasters, geospatial data and tools can help save lives, limit damage, and reduce certain costs, but only if they are used effectively. A new National Research Council report recommends ways to increase and improve the use of these resources in disaster management and urges greater investment in the training of personnel, coordination of agencies, sharing of data, planning and preparedness, and the tools themselves.


US and Russia Should Combat Radiological Terrorism

Shortcomings in the security of potent ionizing radiation sources in Russia could present serious problems for US interests if terrorist groups acquired and used such sources in dirty bombs, says a new National Research Council report. The US Department of Energy should develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen its work with Russian counterparts to reduce the risks and consequences of radiological terrorism.


IT Investments Needed for Better Disaster Management

Information technology has unrealized potential to improve how communities and the nation handle natural disasters and terrorism, says a new National Research Council report. Investments in information technology by federal, state, and local agencies with disaster management responsibilities would improve the exchange of critical information, support better decision making, increase the flexibility of these organizations, and better engage the public in disaster response and recovery.


Improving the Nation's Water Security

Concern over terrorist attacks since 2001 has directed attention to potential vulnerabilities of the nation's water and wastewater systems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which leads federal efforts to protect the water sector, initiated a research program in 2002 to address immediate research and technical support needs. This report recommends that EPA develop a strategic research plan, address gaps in expertise among agency program managers and researchers, and improve information dissemination. The report also recommends high-priority research topics for EPA, including empirical research in behavioral science to better understand how to prepare people for water security incidents.

Back to top


System for Determining Biological Threat Risk Should Be Revised

The Biological Threat Risk Assessment -- a computer-based tool developed by the Department of Homeland Security to assess the threat posed by biological agents if deployed in an attack upon the U.S. population -- contains deficiencies that need to be addressed and corrected before it can be used as a basis for decision making, according to a new report from the National Research Council. Copies of the report are available from the National Academies Press (www.nap.edu/). Comments from the Department of Homeland Security, supplied as part of a required security review, are available from the Public Access Records Office (202-334-3543; paro@nas.edu).

Back to top


International Cooperation Needed to Lower Nuclear Proliferation Risks

As global interest in nuclear energy grows, the United States and Russia, along with other countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency, should redouble efforts to ensure a reliable supply of nuclear fuel to nations pursuing this energy option, lowering these nations' incentive to build their own facilities to enrich uranium and reprocess spent fuel, says a new report by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Russian Academy of Sciences. Such facilities could also be used to produce the key ingredients for nuclear weapons.

Back to top

For additional information visit The National Academies Subject page.