Several years ago during an Ebola outbreak in Africa, it was reported that scientists from Iran arrived and took samples from numerous dead and dying people. Why would Iran, which is probably close to the bottom of the world’s powers in medicine need a sample of Ebola? There are surely enough medical problems already in Iran to occupy their national medical budget. The conclusion was they have a bio weapon’s research program.
While the world’s major nations spend millions of dollars on their labs, such an expenditure is not necessary if the thing you are developing is already damned deadly without enhancement. Just a few well designed rooms on a, hopefully, remote military base will do just fine.
So, what other horrible diseases are out there that are as easily harvested. It turns out most developed nations kept samples of deadly diseases and they have been shared with universities around the world. They are out there and if you have the money, you can get them. The recent arrests of scientists accused of working for the CCP is evidence of that.
Do other nations have bio weapons programs? Almost certainly. Nukes are expensive. Bio weapons are not nearly so expensive.
When you have an apocalyptic world view, then using them becomes a real option. If some nation starts threatening your existence, then you have an equal threat to make them stop. Especially if your view is, if you’re dead, then the rest of the world won’t matter anyway. (Hitler tried to erase Germany from the map but his systematic destruction was halted by the people who were supposed to execute it.)
Nukes are expensive. Bio weapons are not nearly so expensive.
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Your analysis is spot on. In addition, nukes can render a place uninhabitable etc. for many years. Bio weapons can just take out the pesky citizens and the enemy can then claim the land and do what they will.