Intelligence estimates of nuclear terrorism
By: ZENKO, Micah.
Material type: ArticlePublisher: Thousando Oaks : SAGE, September 2006The Annals of The American Academy of Political and Social Science 607, p. 87-102Abstract: Nuclear terrorism is not a post-9/11 or even post-cold war phenomenon. In fact, this review of declassified intelligence estimates spanning the past five decades reveals that the prospect of a clandestine nuclear attack on the United Statesbe it from the Soviet Union, China, or al Qaedahas been a regular concern for U.S. officials since the advent of nuclear weapons. Although the estimates themselves have been a mixed bag of quiet successes and failures, this articles key findings suggest that the threat of nuclear terrorism is very real and that the U.S. government remains ill prepared to counter that treat.Nuclear terrorism is not a post-9/11 or even post-cold war phenomenon. In fact, this review of declassified intelligence estimates spanning the past five decades reveals that the prospect of a clandestine nuclear attack on the United Statesbe it from the Soviet Union, China, or al Qaedahas been a regular concern for U.S. officials since the advent of nuclear weapons. Although the estimates themselves have been a mixed bag of quiet successes and failures, this articles key findings suggest that the threat of nuclear terrorism is very real and that the U.S. government remains ill prepared to counter that treat.
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