Global Security Newswire

A recent study of postwar Iraq’s scientific priorities has identified several “critical areas,” such as health, water resources, environment and energy, in which to employ Iraqi scientists and technicians, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration announced Tuesday (see GSN, Feb. 27).

The agency, along with the Arab Science and Technology Foundation and the U.S. Sandia National Laboratories, operates a program to help employ and redirect Iraqi scientists, some of whom may have WMD- and ballistic missile-related experience. The survey, which was completed in April, involved interviews with 200 Iraqi scientists, who proposed more than 450 research project ideas in a variety of fields.

More specific project proposals will next be sought from Iraqi scientists, with the intent of funding a small pilot project in the areas of water monitoring or epidemiology, according to the U.S. agency. Once the pilot project is completed, a workshop will be held in the Middle East to further prioritize other areas for technical cooperation and funding will be sought to begin work on several additional high-priority projects.

“We are moving with all due speed to implement this program. This administration places a high emphasis on nonproliferation programs and the effort to engage Iraqi scientists is a very important one,” NNSA chief Linton Brooks said in a statement. “As we help rebuild Iraqi science and technology infrastructure we help reintegrate Iraq into the international science community while fulfilling important nonproliferation goals,” he added (NNSA release, June 15).