In March 2012, at a meeting convened by the recently reelected Russian president Vladimir Putin, Minister of Defense Serdyukov informed Mr. Putin that a plan was being prepared for "the development of weapons based on new physical principles: radiation, geophysical wave, genetic, psychophysical, etc." Subsequently, in response to concerns expressed both in Russia and abroad, the Russian government deleted the statement from the public transcript of the meeting. But the question remains: Is Russia developing an offensive biological warfare program?
Raymond Zilinskas and Philippe Mauger investigate the multiple dimensions of this crucial security issue in their comprehensive, authoritative survey. Ranging from the Soviet legacy to current doctrine, from advanced weaponsdevelopment networks to civilian biotechnology research, from diplomatic initiatives to disinformation campaigns, they document and analyze the build-up and modernization of Russia's biodefense establishment under the Putin administration.

About the Author
Raymond A. Zilinskas is director of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation (CBWN) Program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS). Philippe Mauger completed work on this book while conducting research at MIIS.

Reviews
"This important book carefully analyzes events in the Russian Federation since 2012 related to possible novel weapons developments and the future of the Biological Weapons Convention. It gives ample reasons for concerns, but ends by suggesting ways in which such concerns might be reduced." -Malcolm Dando, University of Bradford



Book Information
ISBN 9781626376984
Author Raymond A Zilinskas
Format Hardback
Page Count 370
Imprint Lynne Rienner Publishers Inc
Publisher Lynne Rienner Publishers Inc