FAS Update 3/22

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Thank you for your continued support of the Federation of American Scientists, we greatly value your membership. This year, FAS transformed the Public Interest Report to a fully online journal, with a new look to create a more user friendly experience. Individual articles are still available to be downloaded in PDF format. This issue includes articles on U.S. missile defense, H5N1 "gain-of-function" experiments and North Korea's satellite launch of the Unha-3. FAS welcomes your advice on how to further improve the PIR. Please send your comments via e-mail to pir@fas.org. The Winter PIR is available online here. __________________________________________________________________ Winter 2013 Public Interest Report Volume 66, No 1 CONTENTS: President's Message- Reducing Catastrophic Risks: Why FAS Matters PDF Version FAS President Charles Ferguson discusses FAS's new strategic direction FAS Matters PDF Version News and Notes from FAS Headquarters FEATURES: The Unha-3: Assessing the Successful North Korean Satellite Launch PDF Version On December 12, 2012, North Korea finally succeeded in placing an object into low Earth orbit. Recovered debris of the launcher’s first stage verified some previous assumptions about the launch system, but it also included some surprises. Independent from the technical findings and their consequences, the public debate seems to miss some important points. By Markus Schiller and Robert H. Schumucker. Science and Security: The Moratorium on H5N1 "Gain-of-Function" Experiments PDF Version The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus poses a public health threat in many regions of the world. Approximately 600 human cases have been reported since 2003, with a laboratory-confirmed case fatality rate of up to 60% according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Similar to other research experiments involving infectious pathogens, some H5N1 studies, due to their inherent dangers, are described as Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC).  What are the risks of this type of research and what steps are being taken to mitigate future public health risks? By Malerie Briseno and Christina England. Q&A Session on Recent Developments in U.S. and NATO Missile Defense PDF Version There are two main strategic missile defense systems fielded by the United States: one is based on large high-speed interceptors called Ground-Based Interceptors or “GBI’s” located in Alaska and California and the other is the mostly ship-based NATO/European system. On March 15, Secretary of Defense Hagel announced that the U.S. will cancel the last Phase – Phase 4 – of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) to missile defense. By Charles P. Blair, Yousaf Butt and George N. Lewis. 2012 FAS Awards Ceremony PDF Version FAS hosted its 2012 Awards Ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on November 9.  The awards ceremony recognizes outstanding individuals who have made a distinctive contribution to national security and science policy. By Katie Colten. FAS Symposium Provides Recommendations to Next Administration on Catastrophic Threats PDF Version On November 9, 2012, FAS hosted the Symposium on Preventing Catastrophic Threats at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The symposium consisted of three panels that explored catastrophic threats to national and international security, including those posed by nuclear and radiological weapons;  biological, chemical, cyber, and advanced conventional weapons; and threats to energy supply and infrastructure. By Meggaen Neely. __________________________________________________________________________ The PIR welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for length and clarity. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Public Interest Report 1725 DeSales Street, NW 6th Floor Washington, DC 20036 PHONE: (202) 546-3300 FAX: (202) 675-1010 EMAIL: pir@fas.or