Countering the Non-State Nuclear Threat: Are We Ready

摘要

This paper examines terrorist organizations seeking nuclear capabilities, and the international policies promoted by the U.S. Government in an effort to stop transnational nuclear terrorism. Experts have long played down the nuclear terrorist threat due to the difficulty of acquiring and assembling a functional nuclear weapon capable of being transported. However, after September 11, 2001, the problems presented by nuclear thieves, unsecured nuclear arms, unemployed nuclear scientists, and emerging nuclear states have become of primary concern to national security. A review of the National Security Strategy and the National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction demonstrates the Bush administration's full recognition of the terrorist nuclear threat facing the American people. However, recognizing and defeating it are two different issues. An examination of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), United Nations Security Resolution 1540, and the Group of Eight (G8) countries' expansion of the Nunn-Lugar legislation highlight the successes and shortcomings of current initiatives implemented by the administration. To prevent an apocalyptic terrorist strike much more work needs to be done internationally. All countries must be made aware of the possible worldwide effects of a nuclear terrorist strike. The United Nations needs to take this threat seriously and re-evaluate the IAEA's role in nuclear policing, and an international sharing of intelligence must be established to stop terrorists before they strike. With a specialized intelligence organization linked to a United Nations backed anti-nuclear quick reaction force, terrorists bent on nuclear destruction will find themselves attacking a unified global defense.