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

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"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.