Biological weapons in the former Soviet Union: An interview with Dr. Kenneth Alibek

Abstract

This article describes a 1998 interview conducted by Jonathan B. Tucker, a CBWNP Director, with Dr. Kenneth Alibek, a former high-level Soviet/Russian biological weapons scientist. In the interview, Dr. Alibek discusses his experience working for the Soviet Biopreparat complex, the scale and capabilities of the Soviet BW program during the 1970s and 1980s, the development and production of various BW agents, the modalities of delivery, the military doctrine behind BW use, and the impact of the Biological Weapons Convention on the Soviet BW program. Dr. Alibek also sheds light on several critical issues such as the 1979 Sverdlovsk anthrax outbreak, the offensive nature of Russia’s BW activities, the potential of the Russian military to resume BW research and development, and the need for countries to remain vigilant in countering biological threats. – AI-generated abstract.