WMD Commission E-Update, June 29, 2009

In February, the U.S. Congress authorized an additional year of work by the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, based on its report, World at Risk. As you may remember, the report’s threat assessment got the most headlines:

Unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013—and that a biological attack is more likely than nuclear. This conclusion was publicly affirmed by then-Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell.

In the coming months, the Commission will advocate for the decisive and urgent actions outlined in the report. And the Commission will report to the public in the fall and early 2010 on the outcomes.

Senator Graham, chair, and Senator Talent, vice chair, have already been active on a number of issues. They recently made a personal appeal to President Obama, asking him to appoint Vice President Biden to lead an aggressive and comprehensive campaign to meet the challenges of WMD proliferation and terrorism. They have also worked for funding for US biodefense. See links below for more.

We would like to periodically update you via e-mail on the Commission’s work, probably no more than monthly. You can get real-time updates on Twitter, @preventwmd or visit our Web site: www.preventwmd.gov.

Randall Larsen
Executive Director

Government reform
Graham and Talent Call on President Obama to Appoint Vice President to Lead Campaign on WMD Proliferation and Terrorism
Letter to the President from Senators Graham and Talent, June 8, 2009

Testimony by Senator Graham on the Future National Security Workforce
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, April 30, 2009

Security Workforce Worries
Washington Post, May 1, 2009

Bioterrorism
Preparing for pandemics, natural and manmade
Opinion editorial by Senators Graham and Talent, The Hill, June 11, 2009

National Briefing: Funding for Vaccine Criticized
Los Angeles Times, June 8, 2009

Bipartisan WMD Panel Criticizes Obama Plan To Fund Flu Vaccine
Washington Post, June 8, 2009

The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
www.preventwmd.gov
80 F Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 744-2772