Overview

While many books discuss how nations can prevent the proliferation of biological and nuclear weapons, this unique and controversial volume begins with the premise that these weapons will certainly multiply despite our desperate desire to slow this process. How worried should we be and what should we do? In From Lambs to Lions, Thomas Preston examines current trends in the proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons capabilities, know-how, and technologies for both state and non-state actors-and then projects these trends over the coming ten to fifteen years to assess how they might impact existing security relationships between states. With a new preface to the paperback edition, Thomas Preston also addresses the threat of biological and nuclear weapons proliferation that faces the Obama administration. How might a nuclear North Korea or Iran constrain U.S. freedom of action in its foreign or military policies? How might U.S. security be impacted by the current biotechnical revolution and spread of bioweapons know-how to opponents? How might terror groups like Al Qaeda make use of such weapons in future attacks against the United States or its allies around the world? These are the central, most fundamental questions facing American security policy over the coming decades, and to ignore them is to put ourselves at risk for new 9/11-style surprises. For answers, and for some potentially surprising reassurances, this clear and informative book will be invaluable.

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9780742555020

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Reviews

Preston argues that we have arrived at a point in human history when, for the first time, relatively weak states and non-state actors can brandish weapons so potent that they effectively neutralize the capabilities of the great powers. His book is a penetrating analysis of the most worrisome challenge facing the United States and its allies in the twenty-first century: the spread of nuclear and biological weapons to hostile states, terrorist groups, or both. Preston argues convincingly that even after 9/11 this threat is underestimated. He then encourages an intensified focus on the two most potent arrows in the weaker actor 's quiver and makes valuable recommendations as to how policymakers can best address this challenge, which, if left unaddressed, could result in carnage so catastrophic that it would dwarf that caused by the 9/11 attacks. This is policy-relevant scholarship at its finest.--Hagerty, Devin T.

Preston argues that we have arrived at a point in human history when, for the first time, relatively weak states and non-state actors can brandish weapons so potent that they effectively neutralize the capabilities of the great powers. His book is a penetrating analysis of the most worrisome challenge facing the United States and its allies in the twenty-first century: the spread of nuclear and biological weapons to hostile states, terrorist groups, or both. Preston argues convincingly that even after 9/11 this threat is underestimated. He then encourages an intensified focus on the two most potent arrows in the weaker actor s quiver and makes valuable recommendations as to how policymakers can best address this challenge, which, if left unaddressed, could result in carnage so catastrophic that it would dwarf that caused by the 9/11 attacks. This is policy-relevant scholarship at its finest.--Hagerty, Devin T.

Victory can only begin once we are willing calmly to stare potential defeat in the face and begin to understand its causes. Preston does us all a huge service by pulling no punches in this candid, sophisticated, and hard-eyed look at the nuclear and biological threats that are coming at us. -- R. James Woolsey, Vice President Booz Allen Hamilton, Former Director of Central Intelligence This is a significant, interesting, and well-written contribution to the international relations/national security literature...Preston's work is a must read for policy makers and professionals in the field. Summing Up: Essential. Graduate Students through practitioners. CHOICE Preston argues that we have arrived at a point in human history when, for the first time, relatively weak states and non-state actors can brandish weapons so potent that they effectively neutralize the capabilities of the great powers. His book is a penetrating analysis of the most worrisome challenge facing the United States and its allies in the twenty-first century: the spread of nuclear and biological weapons to hostile states, terrorist groups, or both. Preston argues-convincingly-that even after 9/11 this threat is underestimated. He then encourages an intensified focus on the two most potent arrows in the weaker actor's quiver and makes valuable recommendations as to how policymakers can best address this challenge, which, if left unaddressed, could result in carnage so catastrophic that it would dwarf that caused by the 9/11 attacks. This is policy-relevant scholarship at its finest. -- Devin T. Hagerty, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Author Information

Thomas Preston is professor of international relations in the Department of Political Science at Washington State University.

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