Research and analysis

What financial institutions should know and do to counter proliferation financing

Today, the failure of companies and corporations to disclose their ultimate business purpose in their records and documents, or even to describe their business activities in detail on their official websites, can…

Notable Points in the United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential

Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and unpredictable global risk of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, especially biological weapons, on 6 May 2024 the United States Government issued the…

The FATF Recommendations: what you need to know

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an international, intergovernmental body on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Established in 1989, the FATF works to harmonise international anti-money…

Botulinum: Deadly toxic and risk of using as a Biological weapon

Although C. Botulinum has been found to be effective in treating wrinkles and muscle problems, it is a highly toxic substance that can lead to paralysis and even death. This makes it a potential weapon for biological…

Nuclear disarmament amid complex global developments

As we enter the twenty-first century, the vision of an ideal world free of nuclear weapons is becoming increasingly remote as political and military turbulence around the world escalates. Recent events have exacerbated…

Bioterrorism

“Biological weapons” – a phrase that can send a chill down our spines. Biological weapons involve the use of toxins or infectious agents of biological origin, which may include bacteria, viruses, fungi or toxins. These…

Proactively responding to the risk of biological incidents and biological weapons

Proactively responding to bioterrorism and to warfare involving biological weapons (BW), and dealing with toxic chemicals, so as to meet the requirements of the task of defending the Fatherland in the new situation, is…

The negative impacts on national economies of being placed on the FATF grey list

The FATF recently officially placed South Africa on its “grey list”, which could have serious consequences for the South African economy, already struggling after the Covid-19 pandemic. The economic “damage” will be…

In-depth review mechanism to prioritise the tracing, seizure and confiscation of cross-border criminal assets

On 13 September 2022, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and INTERPOL launched a joint initiative on recovering assets from money laundering crimes, marking a turning point in global asset recovery efforts. While…

Biological weapons that worry the US Government

1. Hantavirus Priority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): third-highest priority Fatality rate if untreated: 38% Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that can lead to respiratory and…

Russia’s nuclear weapons: capabilities and development directions

Nuclear weapons are one of the types of weapons of mass destruction, alongside chemical and biological weapons. Their energy is produced by nuclear fission or fusion reactions. Even the smallest nuclear weapon has…