Agro-Terrorism and Fusarium Graminearum Threat in US-China Tensions
1. What is Agro-Terrorism? Definition : Intentional use of biological agents (e.g., plant pathogens, pests, contaminants) to attack a country’s agricultural infrastructure. Objective : Cause economic devastation, food insecurity, and public panic. Characteristics : Low-cost and difficult to detect. Capable of causing widespread economic and social damage. Targets food production systems (crops, livestock, supply chains). Relevance : A growing concern in national security, especially amid geopolitical tensions like US-China relations. 2. Why is Agriculture Vulnerable? Soft Target : Agricultural sectors (farms, food processing plants, supply chains) are less protected compared to military or financial systems. Challenges : Widely dispersed, making monitoring difficult. Biological attacks can remain undetected for weeks. Tracing perpetrators is complex. Impact : Disrupts food security, economic stability, and public trust. 3. Fusarium Graminearum: A Potent Thr...