As the Soviet Union was collapsing in late 1991, reports began to reach the West about agents "shopping" for weapons systems - and weapons scientists - in the beleaguered Soviet military-industrial complex. In response, the United States, the European Community, and Japan, in cooperation with the Russian government, created a program to reemploy Soviet scientific personnel in civilian projects dealing with the legacy of the Soviet system - a polluted environment, unsafe nuclear power facilities, and economic underdevelopment. In this fascinating first-person account, the American environmental scientist who led the effort to establish the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow tells the diplomatic, scientific, and human story behind a remarkable post-Cold War conversion initiative.

During the past 25 years, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, in collaboration with the Russian Academy of Sciences, have carried out a wide variety of activities to improve understanding of the challenges in containing and reducing ethnic conflicts, violent extremism, and terrorism. Roots and Trajectories of Violent Extremism and Terrorism provides an overview of this cross-ocean program, which has involved American and Russian scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from a large number of government agencies, leading research institutions, think tanks, educational institutions, analytical centers, and consulting and commercial firms in the two countries. This report highlights challenges addressed by the academies over many years that remain of current interest as the U.S., Russian, and other governments continue to cope with old and new forms of aggression that threaten the livelihood of populations at home and abroad. Table of Contents Front Matter Introduction and Acknowledgments 1 Ethnic Conflicts within Russia 2 Acceptable Limits on Biological Research 3 Radiological Challenges: Security, Sources, Waste Sites, and Disposal 4 Security of Transportation, Industrial, Construction, Communications, and Other Urban Challenges 5 Interests in the Middle East and Beyond 6 Continuing Inter-Academy Cooperation in a Changing World Appendix A: The Kona Statement Appendix B: Characteristics of Early Ethnic Monitoring Network in Russia and Beyond Appendix C: Lessons Learned from a Terrorist Attack in a Moscow Theater (Yevgeny Kolesnikov) Appendix D: Terrorist Attack at a School in the North Caucasus (Gennady Kovalenko) Appendix E: New Trends in Monitoring Multiethnic Russia (Valery Tishkov) Appendix F: Final Stages in Disposition of Radioactive Waste (Vladislav A. Petrov) Appendix G: Far-Right Domestic Extremism (James Halverson) Appendix H: Psychology of Transnational Terrorism and Extreme Political Conflict (Scott Atran) Appendix I: Recent Trends and Future Concerns in Worldwide Terrorism (Gary LaFree) Appendix J: Labor Migration and Radicalism (Vitaly Naumkin) Appendix K: References

In 2010, the National Research Council published the report U.S-Iran Engagement in Science, Engineering, and Medicine (2000-2009). The review of the program described in detail the National Academies' science, technology, and health cooperation program carried out jointly with partners in Iran (otherwise known as science-engagement). The purpose of this new publication is to document the history and details of the National Academies' program of science-engagement from 2010 through 2016, while providing a perspective in considering future science-engagement. A variety of cooperative activities, and particularly workshops that dominated science-engagement during that period, are highlighted. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Context for Science-Engagement Activities 3 Program Activities from 2010 to 2016 4 Overcoming Barriers to Cooperation 5 Uncertain Future for Science-Engagement Appendix A: Timeline for Selected Activities of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (1999-2016) Appendix B: Workshop Proceedings and Other Documents about Meetings Sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (1999-2016) Appendix C: Strategic Science and Technology Approaches of Iran (2015) Appendix D: Key Science and Technology Policies of Iran (2010-2016) Appendix E: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Search of Scopus Data Base for Iranian Publications (2014) Appendix F: Project Opportunities Identified during Workshop on Climate Change (2015) Appendix G: Management of Land and Water Resources: Lessons Learned from Alborz Pilot Effort Supported by World Bank (2005-2013) Appendix H: Selected Provisions of Annex III of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: Civil Nuclear Cooperation (2015) Appendix I: European Union Agreements with Iran on Cooperation in Science and Technology (2016) Appendix J: Priority Environmental Interests of Supreme Leader and Opportunities for Cooperation (2015)

In "Containing Russia's Nuclear Firebirds," Glenn E. Schweitzer explores the life and legacy of the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow. He makes the case that the center's unique programs can serve as models for promoting responsible science in many countries of the world.
Never before have scientists encountered technology with the potential for such huge impacts on the global community, both positive and negative. For nearly two decades following the Soviet Union's breakup into independent states, the ISTC has provided opportunities for underemployed Russian weapon scientists to redirect their talents toward civilian research. The center has championed the role of science in determining the future of civilization and has influenced nonproliferation policies of Russia and other states in the region. Most important, the center has demonstrated that modest investments can encourage scientists of many backgrounds to shun greed and violence and to take leading roles in steering the planet toward prosperity and peace.
Schweitzer contends that the United States and other western and Asian countries failed to recognize the importance, over time, of modifying their donor-recipient approach to dealing with Russia. In April 2010 the Russian government announced that it would withdraw from the ISTC agreement. After expenditures exceeding one billion dollars, the ISTC's Moscow Science Center will soon close its doors, leaving a legacy that has benefited Russian society as well as partners from thirty-eight countries. Schweitzer argues that a broader and more sustained movement is now needed to help prevent irresponsible behavior by dissatisfied or misguided scientists and their patrons.

In "Containing Russia's Nuclear Firebirds," Glenn E. Schweitzer explores the life and legacy of the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow. He makes the case that the center's unique programs can serve as models for promoting responsible science in many countries of the world.
Never before have scientists encountered technology with the potential for such huge impacts on the global community, both positive and negative. For nearly two decades following the Soviet Union's breakup into independent states, the ISTC has provided opportunities for underemployed Russian weapon scientists to redirect their talents toward civilian research. The center has championed the role of science in determining the future of civilization and has influenced nonproliferation policies of Russia and other states in the region. Most important, the center has demonstrated that modest investments can encourage scientists of many backgrounds to shun greed and violence and to take leading roles in steering the planet toward prosperity and peace.
Schweitzer contends that the United States and other western and Asian countries failed to recognize the importance, over time, of modifying their donor-recipient approach to dealing with Russia. In April 2010 the Russian government announced that it would withdraw from the ISTC agreement. After expenditures exceeding one billion dollars, the ISTC's Moscow Science Center will soon close its doors, leaving a legacy that has benefited Russian society as well as partners from thirty-eight countries. Schweitzer argues that a broader and more sustained movement is now needed to help prevent irresponsible behavior by dissatisfied or misguided scientists and their patrons.

As part of a long-standing collaboration on nuclear nonproliferation, the National Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences held a joint workshop in Moscow in 2003 on the scientific aspects of an international radioactive disposal site in Russia. The passage of Russian laws permitting the importation and storage of high-level radioactive material (primarily spent nuclear fuel from reactors) has engendered interest from a number of foreign governments, including the U.S., in exploring the possibility of transferring material to Russia on a temporary or permanent basis. The workshop focused on the environmental aspects of the general location and characteristics of a possible storage site, transportation to and within the site, containers for transportation and storage, inventory and accountability, audits and inspections, and handling technologies.

This book presents the proceedings of the fourth U.S.-Russian interacademy workshop on the general theme of countering terrorism, which was held in Moscow in March 2007. The fourth in a series, this volume continues to explore topics related to urban terrorism, but with a new emphasis on potential attacks involving biological agents, transportation networks, and energy systems. The other books in the series include: High Impact Terrorism: Proceedings of a Russian-American Workshop (2002) Terrorism: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Improving Responses: U.S.-Russian Workshop Proceedings (2004) Countering Urban Terrorism in Russia and the United States: Proceedings of a Workshop (2006) Table of Contents Front Matter Summaries, 1 U.S.-Russian Working Group on Bioterrorism--Claire Cornelius (Rapporteur) 2 U.S.-Russian Working Group on Transportation System Vulnerabilities--Cynthia Getner (Rapporteur) 3 U.S.-Russian Working Group on Energy System Vulnerabilities--A. Chelsea Sharber (Rapporteur) Selected Papers, 4 Tendencies in Global Terrorism--Raphael Perl 5 Use of Predictive Modeling Packages for Effective Emergency Management--Nikolai Petrovich Kopylov and Irek Ravilevich Khasanov 6 Organizational Measures and Decision Support Systems for Preventing and Responding to Terrorist Acts at Potentially Hazardous Facilities, on Transportation Systems, and in Locations Where Large Numbers of People Congregate--A. Yu. Kudrin, A. I. Zaporozhets, and S. A. Kachanov 7 Characteristics of Technological Terrorism Scenarios and Impact Factors--Nikolai A. Makhutov, Vitaly P. Petrov, and Dmitry O. Reznikov 8 Activities of the Russian Federal Medical-Biological Agency Related to Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Security--Vladimir V. Romanov 9 Disease Surveillance and International Biosecurity--David R. Franz 10 Emerging Viral Infections in the Asian Part of Russia--Sergei V. Netesov and Natalya A. Markovich 11 A Note on the Interfacial Vulnerabilities of Transportation Systems--George Bugliarello 12 Transportation Planning for Evacuations--John C. Falcocchio 13 International and National Priorities in Combating Terrorism in the Transportation Sector--Vladimir N. Lopatin 14 Managing the Radius of Risk--Drew F. Lieb 15 The Problem of Oil and Natural Gas Pipeline Security--S. G. Serebryakov 16 U.S.-Russian Collaboration in Combating Radiological Terrorism--John F. Ahearne 17 IAEA Activities in Preventing Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism--Miroslav Gregoric 18 Electromagnetic Terrorism: Threat to the Security of the State Infrastructure--Vladimir Ye. Fortov and Yury V. Parfyonov 19 The Phenomenon of Suicide Bombings in Israel: Lessons Learned--Mordecai Z. Dzikansky 20 Raman Spectroscopic Detection of Chemical, Biological, and Explosive Agents--Russ Zajtchuk and Gary R. Gilbert 21 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate--John O'Neil Appendix A: Agenda Appendix B: Recent Russian and International Publications of Interest Appendix C: Russia's Counterterrorism Strategy--Valentin A. Sobolev

While researching this book, Glenn Schweitzer met four Moscow physicists who were trying to license Russian technology to western firms for product manufacture. During the worst times, they were reduced to driving taxis to keep things afloat. He asked them, will technological innovation have a discernible impact on the Russian economy in the coming decade? No, was the immediate reply. Are they right? In Swords into Market Shares, Schweitzer examines the roots of such pessimism and the prospects for Russia to prosper from its technology in the post-Soviet world. He explores the different visions of prosperity held by entrepreneurs, technologists, and government officials and goes on to examine the barriers to progress as Russia struggles to build a viable technology industry on its own terms. In accessible language, this book talks about technology's place within Russia's economy and its research and development infrastructure. Schweitzer looks at the impact of the Soviet legacy?central planning, lack of priorities, scant incentives for personal initiative?and the aftermath of the Russian financial meltdown of 1998. He also reviews the experiences of American companies that have invested in Russian technology and examines the results of pressure to reform according to the economic model of the West. Schweitzer goes on to document the problems of economic crime and government corruption, which plague activities designed to generate income in Russia. He discusses the lack of protection for intellectual property and taxation issues that stand in the way of technological innovation. The book looks at the impact of the "brain drain" as Russian experts seek greener pastures?not only the ominous recruitment of Russian biological weapons experts and the acquisition of military technology by "rogue" nations?but also Russia's own program to sell military technology for badly needed funds. Schweitzer's use of case studies and examples puts a human face on these issues. He also discusses Russia's 60 "science cities"?sites of state research centers?with close-ups of three "nuclear cities." Can the technical strengths of the Soviet military complex find a place in civilian Russia? How can this vast country sustain even a minimal standard of living? Swords into Market Shares addresses these and other key questions and explores fundamental policy issues confronting both Russia and the United States as Russia struggles for an economic foothold. Table of Contents Front Matter Dismal Economics Holds Back Technological Innovation Struggling to Embrace Modern Technologies Profiting From Investments in Military Technology The Money Trail: Finders Keepers Long-Term Patent Protection and Short-Term Tax Relief Redirection and Erosion of Russian Brainpower Sixty-Five Science Cities with Three Million People Three Nuclear Cities with an Abundance of Technologies U.S. Efforts to Contain Dangerous Technologies While Promoting Foreign Investments The Revival of Russian Technology Epilogue Appendix A: Characterization and Sources of Russian Research and Development Appendix B: Scientific Organizations with the Status of State Scientific Centers of the Russian Federation Appendix C: Science Cities of Russia Appendix D: Commercialized Technologies at Russian Institutions Appendix E: Technology-Intensive Projects of Priority Interest to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Appendix F: Next Steps to the Market Program of the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation Index

This publication features papers presented at the Workshop on Cleaning Up Sites Contaminated with Radioactive Materials, held in Moscow in June 2007. This activity was organized by the National Academies in cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences and with funding provided by the Russell Family Foundation. The workshop was designed to promote exchanges of information on specific contaminated sites in Russia and elsewhere and to stimulate greater attention to the severity of the problems and the urgent need to clean up sites of concern to the local and international communities.

The National Research Council hosted an interacademy workshop in Yekaterinburg, Russia together with the Russian Academy of Sciences in October 2004 as a means of exploring various aspects of industrial innovation in the Urals region of Russia. Workshop presenters focused on the establishment of cooperative business partnerships between Russian industrial companies and Russian research organizations, particularly those in the closed nuclear cities of Russia. The concept of "market pull" was therefore an important aspect of the workshop, including partnerships between Russian researchers and international companies, as well as those with international research centers. However, given the complex economic and research climates in Russia, which are intensified in the nuclear cities, cooperation between Russian industry and Russian researchers were of primary during the workshop presentations and subsequent discussions as captured in this workshop summary. Table of Contents Front Matter Introduction 1 Summaries of Workshop Presentations and Discussions 2 Themes that Emerged During the Workshop Appendix A Russian-American Workshop: Innovating for Profit in Russia Appendix B Nuclear Cities Initiative Appendix C Basic Principles of the Russian Federation Policy on the Development of Science and Technology for the Period to 2010 and Beyond Appendix D Strategy of the Russian Federation to Develop Science and Innovations for the Period to 2010 Appendix E Integration Opportunities for New Technologies: Organizational Support and Financial Aspects Appendix F Biographical Information Committee on Innovating for Profit in Russia: Encouraging a "Market Pull" Approach

In January-February 2005, the National Academies Committee on Counterterrorism Challenges for Russia and the United States and the Russian Academy of Sciences Standing Committee on Counterterrorism held a workshop on urban terrorism in Washington, D.C. Prior to the workshop, three working groups convened to focus on the topics of energy systems vulnerabilities, transportation systems vulnerabilities, and cyberterrorism issues. The working groups met with local experts and first responders, prepared reports, and presented their findings at the workshop. Other workshop papers focused on various organizations' integrated response to acts of urban terrorism, recent acts of terrorism, radiological terrorism, biological terrorism, cyberterrorism, and the roots of terrorism. Table of Contents Front Matter Report of U.S.-Russian Working Group on Energy Vulnerabilities Report of U.S.-Russian Working Group on Transportation Vulnerabilities Report of U.S.-Russian Working Group on Cyberterrorism Issues Cybersecurity and Urban Terrorism-Vulnerability of the Emergency Responders News and Terrorism: Communicating in a Crisis Problems of Urban Terrorism in Russia Terrorist Acts in Moscow: Experience and Lessons in Eliminating Their Consequences Critical Integration and Coordination Issues in Urban Security Special Characteristics of Firefighting in Urban Areas A Decision Informatics Approach to Urban Emergency Management Efforts of Russian Ministries in Implementing Measures to Prevent Acts of Terrorism Safety and Security in Megacities The Role of Science and Technology in Homeland Security and Countering Terrorism: Overview of Key Activities at the National Academies Does the Emergence of Insurgencies Provide Lessons for Terrorism? Unauthorized Use of Radiation Sources: Measures to Prevent Attacks and Mitigate Consequences Other Dimensions of Radiological Terrorism Biological Terrorism: Regional Preparedness On the Events in Beslan Measuring Progress, or Lack Thereof, in Combating Terrorism On Efforts to Counter International Terrorism in the Russian Federation and Possible Areas of U.S.-Russian Cooperation in this Area Cybercrime and the Training of Specialists to Combat It in Russia Methodology for Assessing the Risks of Terrorism Appendix A Methodology for Assessing the Risks of Terrorism Appendix B Russian Academy of Sciences-U.S. National Academies Joint Committees on Countering Terrorism