A Framework for Assessing Alternate Proliferation Pathways In The Age Of Non-State Actors

Journal Article · Wed Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Nonproliferation Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10736700.2018.1493172· OSTI ID:1413632

Bevins, James E. ^[1]; Laderman, Sarah ^[2]; Goldblum, Bethany L. ^[3]; Katzenson, Elie ^[3]; Kendrick, James ^[3]; Krentz-Wee, Rebecca ^[3]; Tian, Yubing ^[3]

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1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); University of California, Berkeley
2. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
3. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

While the nonproliferation community has long acknowledged the possibility of nuclear terrorism, its prevention has become a central focus area in recent years. For decades it has been assumed that, with access to special nuclear material (SNM), the steps to indigenously develop an improvised nuclear device are within the reach of non-state actors. At the same time, indigenous development of the SNM itself has generally been dismissed as it is perceived as an infeasible option. Recognizing how recent trends of technology democratization, the open exchange of information, and globalization have eroded certain barriers to proliferation by non-state actors, this research explores whether indigenous development of SNM is feasible given the current capabilities of non-state actors. In addition, methods were developed to screen which approaches should be further investigated to devise and enact general and non-state actor specific countermeasures.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Nuclear Science and Security Consortium
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0000979
• OSTI ID: 1413632
• Journal Information: Nonproliferation Review, Journal Name: Nonproliferation Review Journal Issue: 1-2 Vol. 25; ISSN 1073-6700
• Publisher: Natural Resources Defense Council
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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