title: A proposal for regional chemical and biological defense among the Balkan countries.
abstract: In terms of preventing or reducing the mass disaster caused by chemical and biological warfare agents (CBWs), establishing an efficient chemical and biological defense (CBD) system is vital. Balkan countries including Turkey, Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria are located in the "hot region," where some of the neighboring countries have had a CBW production program or do not comply with the international treaties related to the prohibition of CBWs. On the other hand, setting up the CBD is difficult and requires excessive expenditure, which causes a large economical hardship. According to the point of view of Turkish nuclear, biological, and chemical scientists, who are well experienced with CBD, the formation of a CBD system in the Balkan countries would prevent the CBW threat in this region, and in addition, would be able to make a contribution to global security.
authors.affiliation: NBC Defense, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik/Ankara, Turkey 06018.
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karayilanoğlu
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kenar
mesh_terms: D001694:Biological Warfare / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002031:Bulgaria; D002618:Chemical Warfare / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002959:Civil Defense / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D012383:Romania; D014421:Turkey