>why did it take so long to mention them? because biolabs are normal things all over Europe? Like 4,000 in Ukraine alone >Why are they overseas, and not in the states? you need to understand what "biolab" means, it's not for weapons, it's for studying say anthrax in cows and plague in rats. And as a byproduct it can facilitate monitoring any potential use of these pathogens by bioterrorists. You can't do any of this sampling from rural buttfuck Ohio >What measures has the DOD taken to ensure security/safety? no idea, I gather that there is some attempt to destroy any working samples, there is a war going on, maybe they were busy. Hopefully the Russians won't wander in there, break stuff and drink anything left in a bottle. Which is why everyone is worried, because Russians are stupid fucks >Were those contracts veted? presumably there is a process for spending money? but that often costs even more money >Why were tax dollars spent on labs in the Ukraine? What benefit was there to the US people? It's all about funding global research and ensuring safety in countries of interest. Europe does most of this, funding the monitoring of viruses in poorer countries, like say Ebola in Africa. If you have planes flying back into NYC, you'd probably want to know about a massive outbreak in the country of origin before the plane lands... The funding was to upgrade the labs, so they would be better at gathering data and be safer (you don't want a shitty 3rd world lab gathering anthrax samples, and leaving them in the lab fridge alongside the sandwiches)