Nuclear Terrorism ─ Countering the threat

This edited book focuses on ways to improve nuclear security and on preventing nuclear terrorism.

Nuclear terrorism is perceived as one of the most immediate and extreme threats to global security. We currently face motivated and capable terrorist organizations. There is a substantial amount of unclassified literature on the underlying physics and material properties. Finally, there is an imperfect security framework to protect global stockpiles of fissile and/or radioactive material. Terrorist organizations can chose one of three options to go nuclear. (1) The release of radiation by attacking or sabotaging a nuclear facility. The Fukushima accident exemplifies some of the security vulnerabilities - and possible consequences - of this type of nuclear terrorism. (2) The dispersal or emission of radioactive material. The regulatory control over accessible radioactive sources is still far from adequate. Chechen rebels demonstrated their capacity to build a so-called 'dirty bomb' already back in 1995. (3) The explosion of a (crude) nuclear device. While the international community has made important progress in securing fissile material, there are still important steps to be made. There is still nearly 2,000 metric tons of weapons-usable nuclear material spread across hundreds of facilities – which are not always well-secured - around the globe.

The main thread linking the sections of this volume is the focus on improving nuclear security and preventing nuclear terrorism. The first three sections look at the different types of nuclear terrorism, and potential means to prevent these malicious acts. The fourth part focuses on the overarching nuclear security regime, and its strengths and weaknesses. Particular challenges related to the three types of nuclear terrorism are identified and elaborated on in-depth. In this way, the book aims to provide an additional understanding of the various issues related to contemporary debates improving nuclear security and preventing nuclear terrorism.

This book will be of much interest to students of nuclear proliferation, nuclear governance, terrorism studies, interrnational organisation and security studies in general.