Annie Jacobsen, an investigative journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist, addresses the threat of biological weapons in her new book, “Biological War: A Scenario.” In interviews with PBS NewsHour host Geoff Bennett, Jacobsen outlines a scenario in which deadly pathogens are deliberately engineered and used as weapons, raising concerns about how such attacks could spread beyond any single incident and undermine public health and national security. The discussion focuses on what biological warfare could look like and how preparedness measures could be tested by a rapidly evolving biological threat. Jacobsen argues that biological weapons pose a distinct challenge compared with conventional explosives or missile attacks, including difficulties in detection and response. The interviews also examine whether the United States is equipped to manage the consequences of an intentional biological event, including coordinated decision-making and crisis response capabilities. Across the coverage, the reporting centers on Jacobsen’s description of the risk and the questions her book raises about safeguards and readiness rather than reporting a specific new attack or confirmed intelligence.