Gregory Koblentz
gregkoblentz.bsky.social
Gregory Koblentz
@gregkoblentz.bsky.social
I research, teach, and write about about the causes and consequences of the proliferation of nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological (CBRN) weapons to states and terrorists. Views are my own.
This is a shocking headline

Quarter of CDC staff targeted by layoff notices: Union
@thehill.com
thehill.com/policy/healt...
October 16, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Hundreds of CDC layoffs reversed, but biodefense preparedness staff hit

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
October 14, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Happy Kanelbullar Day to all who celebrate it. And y’all should.
October 4, 2025 at 6:51 AM
It’s fika time.
October 1, 2025 at 2:05 PM
OPCW's latest estimate is that they need about 30 million EUR for 2025 & 2026 to identify, secure, and verifiably destroy remaining CW in Syria. This includes inspecting more than 100 undeclared sites suspected of some involvement in Assad regime's CW program.

www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
August 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
We need to start calling this Mammal Flu

Bird Flu Spillover Increases the Risk of Dangerous Human Variants
H5N1 now infects over 40 different mammalian species
@csis.org

www.csis.org/analysis/bir...
March 28, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Good news on Syria and CW: OPCW team was in country for 9 days in March, held productive meetings with caretaker govt, visited 5 sites in Damascus (incl Barzah and Jamrayah branches of SSRC), and planned for future visits.

www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
March 25, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The OPCW has confirmed the use of CS-filled grenades 4 times against Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. Canada has observed that the serial numbers on the grenades indicate they were produced in Russia in 2024. Next step is an international investigation to attribute the origins of the grenades.
March 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The joint statement issued by 20 countries, including Syria, and several international organizations at the Paris Conference on Syria on February 13 2025 endorsed the safe and secure destruction of any CW remaining in Syria and Syrian compliance with the CWC

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-f...
March 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM
New Syrian government pledges full cooperation with OPCW to bring Syria back into compliance with the CWC. Very encouraging!

Syria’s caretaker Foreign Minister addresses OPCW’s Executive Council
www.opcw.org/media-centre...
March 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
OPCW DG Arias provided an update on the OPCW's Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs) to Ukraine which have identified the use of CS-filled grenades against Ukraine on four separate occasions. The use of riot control agents on the battlefield is prohibited by the CWC.

www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
March 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
DG Arias also provided preview of what OPCW will be doing next. Note OPCW anticipates need to investigate at least 100 sites for links to former Syrian CW program. This will require major infusion of funds and personnel to accomplish in a timely manner.
March 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The OPCW Director-General provided a useful summary of actions so far to engage with Syria on resolving outstanding issues re: chemical weapons.
March 5, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The Death of the World America Made

carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
February 21, 2025 at 2:18 AM
This is not the right way to do denuclearization, however you define it.

www.npr.org/2025/02/13/n...
February 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This is not the right way to do denuclearization

www.npr.org/2025/02/13/n...
February 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
OPCW has presented a 9-Point Action Plan to Syria as roadmap for brining Syria back into compliance with the CWC

www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
February 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This revelation makes the 2/8 visit to Damascus by OPCW DG Arias and his meeting with Syria's President and Foreign Minister even more important. OPCW said the meeting was "long, productive and very open."

www.opcw.org/media-centre...
February 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Another counterproductive casualty of Trump Admin freeze on foreign aid

SJAC Suspends Programs in Response to U.S. Foreign Aid Freeze

syriaaccountability.org/sjac-suspend...
January 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
New International AI Safety Institute report including assessment of CBW risks enabled by AI

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679a0c...
January 30, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This is a summary of my case against Gabbard as DNI. For the Senate to confirm her would be national security malpractice.
January 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
According to this DOJ indictment, the head of a Japanese Yakuza group obtained weapons-grade plutonium from the leader of an ethnic insurgent group in Burma and offered to sell it to someone he thought was an Iranian general.

www.justice.gov/opa/pr/japan...
January 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM
France at UNSC warns of danger of CW proliferating from Syria.

onu.delegfrance.org/the-fall-of-...
January 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
UK statement to UNSC today highlights the need for new Syrian government to comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention and cooperation with OPCW

www.gov.uk/government/s...
January 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
My new favorite meme
January 3, 2025 at 9:39 PM