Samantha Pitts-Kiefer on her job to worrying about any way nukes could get used

Abstract

Terrorists risk acquiring nuclear material from unsecured sites worldwide, threatening to create and detonate a nuclear bomb with devastating consequences. The potential for a catastrophic “nuclear 9/11” with instant deaths over 80,000 and severe injuries for 100,000 highlights the need to address the risks posed by unsecured nuclear material, terrorist aspirations for nuclear weapons, and cyber vulnerabilities in nuclear security systems. While North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and tensions between nuclear-armed states heighten concerns, experts stress the importance of preventive measures, open dialogue, and diplomacy. – AI-generated abstract.