The U.S. Defense Department (DOD) is closely monitoring the emerging technological threats to US security. These threats are becoming increasingly complex due to advancements in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, material science, and near-peer competition.

Ian Watson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense, stated in a DOD press release that the dangers facing the nation have significantly changed since the establishment of the Pentagon's program. This program was designed to combat chemical and biological threats post-Gulf War.

Watson highlighted that current capabilities in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence (AI), material science and near-peer competition surpass anything encountered during previous conflicts. This growing prowess could potentially enable adversaries to produce a larger range of agents at unprecedented speed. Additionally, these risks are becoming harder to detect.

The sophistication of these capabilities presents a real concern for the Defense Department. In any future conflict involving near peer competitors - unlike previous ones such as Desert Storm - every aspect of the joint force could be vulnerable to chemical or biological attacks necessitating protection for everyone.

A media release revealed that Congress established a comprehensive chemical and biological defense program within DOD in November 1993. The initiative came after admissions that the military might not adequately counter Iraq's perceived capabilities in chemical and biological warfare. The focus of this program has now shifted towards emerging technologies.

Army General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who oversaw U.S. Central Command during the Gulf War, voiced concerns about psychological impacts on troops from initial use of chemical weapons during his testimony to Senate Armed Services Committee in 1991.