92NY | July 29, 2026 — Elliot Ackerman joins Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen for a conversation about her book Biological War: A Scenario and the scientific, military, political, and societal risks posed by biological warfare.
Biological War and the Unthinkable
Ackerman and Jacobsen examine how advances in genetic engineering can make pathogens more transmissible, lethal, or resistant to medical countermeasures. Their conversation traces biological weapons from early gene-editing experiments and the Soviet program to modern biosecurity concerns.
From Lab Accidents to Global Crisis
Jacobsen explains why her scenario begins with an accident at Russia’s Vector laboratory and discusses gain-of-function research, pandemic preparedness, attribution, and the narrow window governments may have to prevent an outbreak from becoming a pandemic.
AI, Biosecurity, and Prevention
The discussion also considers AI-enabled biology, continuity-of-government planning, biodefense, and the importance of diplomacy and international verification. Jacobsen describes the book as a cautionary scenario intended to generate pressure for prevention rather than panic.
Elliot on Annie Jacobsen
“There’s no one writing today who thinks as much about the unthinkable as Annie. I’ve got a lot of respect for Annie and think she’s providing an enormous service to the world by writing these books.”
Explore the Book
View Biological War: A Scenario | Read Elliot’s Book Club Recommendation