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Globalization guarantees the spread of new technologies, whether beneficial or destructive, and this proliferation reaches beyond North Korea, Iran, and other rogue states. Our greatest threat is a cunning tyrant who might gain a few weapons of mass destruction and annihilate a nation's government from within, assuming dictatorial power. The twentieth century offers vivid examples of tyrants who have exploited major national disasters by rallying violent followers and intimidating an entire nation. To explain how we have become so vulnerable, Fred Iklé turns to history. Some 250 years ago, sci

The mapping of the genome proclaims a new wave of technology-driven change. It attracts political support because it promises better health & postponement of death. Although these are attractive, they pose their own problems. Globalization will hasten the era of the genome, & democracies may suffer with a surfeit of retired people who need financial & other kinds of support. Emotion plays a major role in shaping political action, & a longer life span would disturb the natural flow of emotions. Eugenics also poses a potential problem; the possibility of developing a "super brain" has become very real. The situation invites controversy, & it is possible that the end result will be disaster for everyone. E. Larsen