Are We Doing Enough to Prevent a Nuclear Terrorist Attack?

Abstract

Abstract : The prevention of nuclear smuggling is an essential first step in preventing a nuclear terrorist attack against the US. Without access to nuclear materials and without the ability of the terrorists to smuggle the nuclear material or a weapon into a protected area, the United States is not threatened and an attack will not occur. The first steps are to understand the problem, know the current capabilities, and to develop a set of solutions designed to improve the ability to prevent nuclear material smuggling. In order to appreciate the scope of the problem of preventing nuclear material smuggling, this paper will review current US policies, the international programs and policies with a focus on the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the history of known nuclear material smuggling operations, the potential sources of nuclear material, current US and international efforts, nuclear detection technologies, and other programs to prevent nuclear smuggling. Finally a set of findings and recommendations will be presented that include establishing a commission to prevent nuclear terrorism modeled after the 9/11 Commission, but established before an attack occurs.