Nuclear Terrorism and Global Security

<p>This book examines the prospects and challenges of a global phase-out of highly enriched uranium—and the risks of this material otherwise being used by terrorists to make atom bombs.</p><p>Terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda have demonstrated repeatedly that they seek to acquire nuclear weapons. Unbeknownst even to many security specialists tons of bomb-grade uranium are trafficked legally each year for ostensibly peaceful purposes. If terrorists obtained even a tiny fraction of this bomb-grade uranium they could potentially construct a nuclear weapon like the one dropped on Hiroshima that killed tens of thousands. </p><p>Nuclear experts and policymakers have long known of this danger but – so far – have taken only marginal steps to address it. This volume begins by highlighting the lessons of past successes where bomb-grade uranium commerce has been eliminated such as from Argentina’s manufacture of medical isotopes. It then explores the major challenges that still lie ahead: for example Russia’s continued use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in dozens of nuclear facilities. Each of the book’s thirteen case studies offers advice for reducing HEU in a specific sector. These insights are then amalgamated into nine concrete policy recommendations for U.S. and world leaders to promote a global phase-out of bomb-grade uranium.</p><p>This book will be of much interest to students of nuclear proliferation global governance international relations and security studies.</p>