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The policy brief advocates for a transition from traditional antibody-based and PCR diagnostics to aptamer-based technology to improve outbreak response and biosecurity. It highlights that aptamers—synthetic nucleic acid sequences—can be developed in weeks, produced without animal cells, and digitally distributed for local manufacture, thereby reducing supply chain vulnerabilities. The author argues that this capability enables 'deterrence by denial' by signaling to potential perpetrators that engineered bioweapons would be detected rapidly. The brief recommends that US agencies including ARPA-H, DARPA, ASPR, NIH, FDA, and USDA fund rapid-response platforms, establish regulatory pathways, and integrate these diagnostics into agricultural biosecurity.

The report finds that international reporting of military greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is generally poor, with significant under-reporting in data submitted to the UNFCCC. A comparison of five top military spenders showed that defence ministry reports for direct emissions were, on average, 95% higher than UNFCCC figures. The report highlights a critical lack of Scope 3 (supply-chain) reporting, noting that less than 10% of military carbon footprints typically appear in UNFCCC data. It identifies systemic loopholes in reporting guidelines and instances of 'greenwashing,' specifically by the UK military, and recommends mandatory, explicit military emissions reporting within National Inventory Reports.

The report argues that while military R&D alone cannot solve the climate challenge due to long equipment lifecycles, a comprehensive approach combining innovation, policy changes, and procurement can significantly reduce emissions. It highlights the transition to low-carbon technologies in operations (such as sustainable aviation fuels and hybrid vehicles), the decarbonization of fixed infrastructure through microgrids and small modular reactors, and the need to address Scope 3 emissions within the defense industrial supply chain. The authors emphasize that procurement is the most powerful tool for militaries to catalyze clean energy markets and steer the defense industry toward net-zero goals.

The Council on Strategic Risks warns against the use of terms like "non-strategic" or "low yield" to describe tactical nuclear weapons, arguing that such language creates a false sense of control. The author contends that any use of nuclear weapons, regardless of yield, would represent a drastic shift in risk and could lead to "Armageddon." The document calls for nuclear-armed nations to publicly recommit to policies acknowledging these dangers, avoid a new tactical arms race, and include the elimination of these weapons as a specific agenda item in international talks, such as the UN Summit of the Future.

The report argues that military decarbonization is essential for both climate mitigation and operational effectiveness, as fossil fuel dependency creates strategic vulnerabilities. It highlights the lack of a standardized emission measurement methodology, noting that while 'standard operations' (buildings and administration) are relatively easy to green, 'non-standard operations' (heavy weaponry and combat mobility) present significant technological hurdles. The document evaluates the current efforts of NATO and the EU, suggesting that NATO can lead through standardization and normative influence, while the EU can leverage its legislative power and financial instruments like the European Defence Fund. It concludes with recommendations for EU-NATO coordination to avoid duplication and accelerate the transition to clean military power.