Decade of Developments Changed DOD's Focus on Weapons of Mass Destruction

WMDs, include things like nuclear weapons, chemical and biological weapons, and radiological weapons. Both China and Russia are making advances in at least some of these areas.

Department of Defense: Back in 2014, the Defense Department's strategy for countering weapons of mass destruction was focused largely on places like Iran, North Korea, and a variety of violent extremist organizations.

In 2023, the focus has changed to address new realities, said the department's assistant secretary of defense for space policy.

The Defense Department late last month released its 2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. In the same way, that last year's National Defense Strategy prioritizes China and Russia, the new WMD strategy does the same.

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