The Defense Threat Reduction Agency: A Note on the United States’ Approach to the Threat of Chemical and Biological Warfare

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) merges, the Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA), the Defense Special Weapons Agency (DSWA), and the On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA) into one central agency. Its creation sparks a new integrated approach to uncovering chemical and biological stockpiles of weapons and preventing their use. The establishment of the DTRA is evidence of the nation’s dedication to reducing the threat of a chemical or biological attack on the United States. Its establishment, however, also acknowledges America’s vulnerability to such a threat and the concern that our nation may be ill-prepared to protect its citizens. The unique characteristics of chemical and biological weapons make the establishment of the DTRA a necessity. The development of the DTRA to meet these threats, however, presents numerous questions and considerations. Biological and chemical weapons historically have played a significant role in military operations.