Nuclear weapons, proliferation, and terrorism: U.S. response in the twenty-first century
As the remaining superpower in the post-Cold War world, the US needs to re-evaluate its policy toward the growing threat to US national interests and the effects of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), specifically nuclear devices, and their use by terrorist groups against US interests abroad. As the world reacts to the implosion of the former Soviet Union, there are increased numbers of nations and possibly terrorist groups trying to become players in the international arena. This study describes the ease of obtaining the scientific knowledge, plans, and materials to enable a terrorist`s construction of a nuclear device. It also analyzes motivation of terrorist groups, concluding that a nuclear weapon, capable of inflicting violence in the extreme, fulfills the terrorist`s goal of violence in support of a political agenda or to inspire radical change. Given the guidance from the national level, this study proposes a series of policy options available to the NCA for application in an aggressive counterproliferation policy. Finally, the US must rapidly reorganize its counterproliferation structure and methods to streamline a more aggressive approach that is recognized and feared by potential nuclear terrorists; augment current political efforts with a clearly defined counterproliferation military mission and associated doctrine.
- Research Organization:
- Army Command and General Staff Coll., Fort Leavenworth, KS (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 673818
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-350033/XAB; TRN: 82720049
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: TH: Thesis; PBD: 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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