'Security of supply' treaties exclude vaccines, fuel.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Washington Pulse - Brief Article

In times of war, the United States can mandate that domestic and foreign allied industries redirect their commercial production lines to meet U.S. needs for defense supplies. But no such agreement exists for civilian emergencies, such as a terrorist attack with biological weapons. No "security of supply" treaties are in place for products such as pharmaceuticals and fuels, said William J. Denk, director of defense programs at the Commerce Department.

"We just went through a drill with the Department of Homeland Security to determine what international agreements exist out there for security...