29 November 1997
Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 10:14:28 -0500 To: TERRORISM@mediccom.org From: "Malcolm R.Innerarity" <m.innera@pcps.edu> Subject: BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM Defense experts say Pentagon needs to change focus Copyright (C) 1997 Nando.net Copyright (C) 1997 The Associated Press WASHINGTON (November 28, 1997 3:47 p.m. EST) -- After decades of gearing defense planning toward the threat of large-scale war abroad, the Pentagon should focus more on the risk of biological or other unconventional attacks on America itself, a congressionally chartered panel has concluded. Using the phrase "defense of the homeland" to capture its idea, the National Defense Panel will recommend to Defense Secretary William Cohen and Congress that greater attention be paid to emerging threats such as a hit-and-run attack on an American city with toxins. That mission is going to become more important as more nations hostile to U.S. interests acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them, a panel member said Friday, speaking on condition he not be identified. The panel's report, which has been in the works since Cohen appointed the members last February, will be made public on Monday. Cohen already has seen a final draft of the report, officials said. Among the report's other conclusions: --The Defense Department needs a "transformation strategy" for the 21st century -- a blueprint for further adapting U.S. forces from the Cold War era to the security threats that are likely to face America and its allies 20 years from now. --It should devote $5 billion to $10 billion a year to developing that strategy through experimentation with new weapons and warfighting concepts. This would provide the nation with a "hedge" against unforeseen changes in global security. --The Army National Guard's role should be refocused. One possibility would be to develop an expertise in responding to domestic crises such as limited attacks with chemical or biological weapons. This implies reducing the size of the Guard, a move favored by the Pentagon but strongly opposed by many in Congress. --Cohen was right in calling earlier this month for two additional rounds of military base closings. But instead of making those closure decisions in 2001 and 2005, as recommended by Cohen, they should be accelerated. Also, the military services should find ways to share the use of bases. --For the moment the Pentagon is right to structure its forces for the possibility of having to fight two major regional wars at the same time -- most likely in the Persian Gulf and on the Korean peninsula. But the panel describes this as a "low-probability scenario" which soon will be outdated. Scrapping the two-war scenario would imply reducing the overall size of the U.S. military, although the panel does not recommend any specific troop-cut number. The National Defense Panel was created by Congress last year at the same time it instructed the Pentagon to make a top-to-bottom review of defense programs through 2005. The panel was designed to provide an alternative view of the Pentagon's internal study -- and to take a longer-range look at defense needs. Four of the panel's nine members are retired generals and admirals; the five others are civilian defense experts. The chairman is Philip A. Odeen, president and chief executive officer of the defense consulting firm BDM International. As part of its emphasis on "homeland defense," the panel said the Clinton administration was right to put off for now a decision on when and whether to deploy a national missile defense system capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. The panel concluded that the Pentagon should put itself in position to deploy an anti-missile defense over the United States "once we get a better idea what the threats are," a panel member said Friday. The panel did not predict any specific attacks on the United States but stressed that limited attacks by smaller nations or transnational groups are likely to be a growing threat in the 21st century. This is an example of what the panel calls "asymmetric warfare" -- attacks using unconventional means by foes who target U.S. vulnerabilities rather than try to match up against its strengths. By ROBERT BURNS, The Associated Press
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov1997/m11211997_m218-97.html
No. 218-M
MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS
November 21, 1997
The National Defense Panel has announced it will hold a press conference at the National Press Club, Thirteenth Floor, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C., at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, December 1st, to discuss their report, "Transforming Defense - National Security in the 21st Century."
The Panel was mandated by Congress to conduct an independent assessment of 21st century security challenges and to explore innovative and forward-thinking ways to meet them. Its report, a copy of which is due to the Secretary of Defense on December 1st, reviews a range of potential 2020 challenges, identifies the implications for future military capabilities, and describes a commensurate transformation strategy.
The National Defense Panel, composed of nine distinguished civilian and military experts on national security, is chaired by Mr. Philip Odeen.
For further information visit the Panel's web site at www.dtic.mil/ndp or contact Paul Hanley at the National Defense Panel, (703) 602-4175, Ext. 108.