Bioterror in the 21st Century: Emerging Threats in a New Global Environment [Hardcover]

Daniel M. Gerstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2009

Daniel Gerstein draws on twenty-nine years of experience in the security and defense sectors to address the threat of bioterrorism in the twenty-first century. He warns that while the proliferation of knowledge and capabilities in the field of biotechnology offers ever-increasing opportunities for scientific breakthroughs, the potential for the misuse of that knowledge also increases. Gerstein takes a classic game theory approach in his analysis of the potential for a bioterror attack in the future. His examination provides an objective capability for assessing threats, understanding emerging trends, and developing mitigation strategies. However, in the end the book is less about predicting future behavior than about understanding the framework in which dangerous capabilities are allowed to proliferate. The study also makes a valuable contribution to the debate over perceived threats and vulnerabilities in this new global environment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If the Nigerian Christmas crotch bomber had been infected with a deadly biological disease rather than wearing an explosive diaper, he likely would have caused a pandemic of worldwide proportions. Every person on the ground in Amsterdam and Detroit would have in turn become an unknowing terrorist weapon. Passengers leaving the plane in Detroit and changing planes likely would have infected people in a wide variety locations through the United States and Canada. This is the inadvertent impact of globalization on the potential use of biological warfare by international terrorists described by Daniel M. Gerstein in his book Bioterror in the 21st Century. He points to a chilling autobiography by one of Osama bin Laden's sons, in which the son notes the anguish he and his brothers and sisters felt at watching their pets used for biological weapons experiments. This is a very real threat. --Gary Anderson, The Washington Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Daniel M. Gerstein is strategist and policy expert with a PhD in Biodefense. He has served in the security and defense fields in a variety of strategic and operational assignments dealing with national strategy, arms control, international negotiations, and conflict analysis. A resi­dent of Alexandria, VA, he is the author of Securing America's Future, Leading at the Speed of Light, and Assignment Pentagon.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press (October 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591143128
• ISBN-13: 978-1591143123
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,062,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel M. Gerstein is strategist and policy expert with a PhD in Biodefense. He has served in the security and defense fields in a variety of strategic and operational assignments dealing with biodefense, homeland security, national strategy, arms control, international negotiations, and conflict analysis. He also served on Holbrooke Delegation that negotiated the peace settlement in Bosnia, analyzed negotiating positions for the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) talks, and developed an initiative to improve cross border communications between Colombia and neighboring Andean Ridge nations. Additionally, Dr. Gerstein was selected to lead the Army's most comprehensive restructuring since World War II called Transformation (2000-2001) and served on the Secretary of the Army's Transition Team (2004-2005). Most recently, he also served on the Project for National Security Reform (PNSR) which was charged with developing a new national security act to reflect the changing security environment (2007-2008). A resident of Alexandria, VA, he is the author of Securing America's Future, Leading at the Speed of Light, and Assignment Pentagon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book in explaining American biodefense policy, December 13, 2009

By 

J. Rudy "Major, USAF" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bioterror in the 21st Century: Emerging Threats in a New Global Environment (Paperback)

"Bioterror in the 21st Century" is an academic look at the likelihood of a bioterror event taking place on American soil. The author, Daniel Gerstein, is strategist and policy expert with a PhD in Biodefense. In this book, he presents a convincing case for the best course of action for American defense against bioterror.

Gerstein provides the reader with foundational information on two converging emergences of the 21st century. The first is `Globalization' or the ever increasing connectivity between the social, economic, and political elements of the nations around the world. According to Gerstein, this is "the result of advances in communication, transportation, and information technologies". Gerstein also provides a primer on `terrorism', a term that he claims can be traced back to the French Revolution. Later in the book, Gerstein categorizes terrorist ideology into three camps - traditional (ex. Al Qaeda); apocalyptic (Aum Shinrikyo); and waning (IRS). The philosophical differences in these groups will have profound effect in what they want to accomplish and what the American government should do to prepare for the inevitable.

Chapter two is a primer on Biotechnology and Biowarfare. Gerstein explains the difficulties in determining whether a program is for peaceful or nefarious purposes. He also explains the difficulties for the various terror groups to get their hands on the technology.

The next chapter looks at the current American national initiatives and policy in dealing with homeland security in the context of bioterror events. Gerstein also summarizes national level readiness exercises in responding to a national biological event.

In the book's final chapter, Gerstein applies game theory in examining likely bioterrorist actions, and the actions that produce the best course of action for America.

The book is a well-written, logical, and persuasive argument for establishing the future of American policy for biodefense and biosecurity.