Pentagon Official Calls for Total Force Focus on Emerging Biothreats

DoD: "The U.S. faces an unprecedented number of complex biological threats posed by near-peer competitors, non-state actors and naturally occurring pandemics"

Department of Defense: The Defense Department has reached a pivotal point in responding to the quickly evolving biological threat landscape, a senior Pentagon official said today.

Deborah G. Rosenblum, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical, and biological defense programs, said the U.S. faces an unprecedented number of complex biological threats posed by near-peer competitors, non-state actors and naturally occurring pandemics that require an integrated, departmentwide focus.

"These threats certainly impact the readiness and resilience of our military forces," Rosenblum said. "Biodefense is no longer something that's the purview of just specialized units who have traditionally been worried about these threats".

"Integrated deterrence requires a combat credible force," she continued. "And to be combat credible, the whole joint force must be capable of fighting through biothreats and being resilient."

Earlier this month, the Pentagon released its inaugural Biodefense Posture Review which lays out key reforms aimed at positioning the department to counter bio-threats through 2035.

Enhanced Early Warning And Understanding Of Emerging Biothreats: