David G. Gompert

David G. Gompert is vice president of the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, Calfornia, where he runs the National Security Research Division. In the following viewpoint, based on ideas he developed with Rand colleagues Dean Wilening and Kenneth Watman, he argues that the United States should make an explicit declaration that it is prepared to use nuclear arms against any nation that attacks America with biological weapons. Such a policy of nuclear deterrence could prevent the United States from ever being victimized by biological warfare, he contends.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why is Gompert more concerned about biological weapons than about chemical weapons?
2. How does Gompert respond to the idea that the United States should rely on conventional weapon superiority to deter nations from using biological weapons?
3. Why should the United...