Catastrophic nuclear terrorism: a preventable peril

Abstract

This chapter discusses the dangers of catastrophic nuclear terrorism. It examines the motivations and capabilities of terrorists to employ nuclear weapons, as well as the potential consequences of such attacks. The authors argue that the use of a nuclear weapon by terrorists is unlikely in the near future but that the risk could grow significantly in the future, eventually acquiring the potential to cause a global catastrophe. The chapter outlines the various acquisition routes a terrorist organization might pursue and concludes by discussing various mitigation efforts to curb the threat of nuclear terrorism. The authors make a number of policy recommendations to enhance nuclear security and control nuclear weapons and materials globally. – AI-generated abstract.