Weapons of mass infection
Summary
Investigative journalist Annie Jacobson discusses her new book, *Biological War: A Scenario*, which depicts a terrifying outbreak of engineered pneumonic plague following a lab accident in Russia. Drawing on interviews with government officials and historical data on Soviet bioweapons, she explores how easily such pathogens could spread globally and cause societal collapse. The episode highlights the growing threat of biological weapons, exacerbated by advances in gene editing and AI, and underscores the urgent need for public awareness and policy action.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Annie Jacobson and her new book on biological war
The inciting incident: A lab accident in Siberia
Pneumonic plague and global spread via travelers
Soviet-era genetic engineering of the plague pathogen
From outbreak to anarchy: The six-day timeline
Commercial break and transition
History of biological weapons and the Soviet secret program
The 2001 Anthrax attacks and the rise of BSL-4 labs
Why bio threats are more accessible than nuclear weapons
Fact vs. fiction and the role of AI in bio threats
Closing credits and sponsor messages
Listen ad-free on Castria