Risk Assessment
1. Capability assessment: What skills and resources are necessary to execute a successful attack using portable nuclear weapons? Are there any terrorist groups that possess these skills and resources? Explain. For a terror organization to successfully execute a terrorist attack using portable nuclear weapons, its members are required to have immaculate training in the manufacture, construction, and assembling of small scale nuclear devices. In addition, they would also be required to acquire the necessary raw materials such as fissile material, but in the contemporary era, very few terror organizations have been identified or documented to be making attempts to gain access, an example of which is Al Qaeda (Mauroni, 2012). However,
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In this regard, countries such as Pakistan that are perceived to have limited security in relation to their stockpiles of nuclear weapons and weapon grade materials pose a significant threat. During the administration of President Pervez Musharraf, there were at least two assassination attempts that were conducted through the collusion of the military and Al Qaeda operatives. This raises the question if the Pakistan administration is unable to secure the security of its president, what about the stockpiles of weapon-grade nuclear material in their possession. Moreover, Iran has been known to finance and support terror organizations, which also raises questions whether it could provide nuclear technology to such groups to hit American targets on its behalf. Additionally, nuclear weapons could be smuggled into the United States from its neighbors such as Canada and Mexico, who seem to have a mediocre security system. A chart devised by Peter Zimmerman illustrates that it could cost about $5 million to manufacture and detonate a nuclear bomb in the US from the process of procuring the material, human resource hired to manufacture the bomb, and smuggling the material to the US mainland through Mexico and Canada. Most of the personnel involved in such an execution of this plan are already in the country in sleeper cells that are only activated once the puzzles have been finally completed, which would make it almost impossible to
Christopher Millson, in his article, “Nuclear Weapons Testing in the United Sates: Sacrificing Health for National Defense,” talks about the beginning period of nuclear weapons. He talks about how policies changed through the years to keep a strong security against the Soviet Union, and eventually providing benefits to the victims of atomic bomb testing. One of the first policy changes described by Millson is the United Sates changing the location of bomb testing. He mentions that for a period of time the US tested bombs in the pacific.
“To Catch a Bombmaker” by Clay Dillow appeared in Popular Science in October 2015. Catching a Bombmaker does not come easy; you must have intelligence, surveillance, and knowledge behind the science of a bomb. In “To Catch a Bombmaker” these three things led to a terrorist being caught in the action. Mr. Dillow’s purpose for writing this piece is to inform. Dillow is very professional in his writing.
Throughout the years of 1945 and 1991, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were involved in what is today is identified as the Cold War. During this dark time many lived in fear due to the newest weapon that would be used in war, nuclear weapons. These weapons caused fear throughout the whole world because of their capability to kill thousands with just one. Today many debate over the abolition of nuclear weapons in the United States. Some argue that the U.S. should abolish nuclear weapons, while others say nuclear weapons should not be abolished in the United States.
Prevent the unauthorized acquisition, importation, movement, or use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and capabilities
There is a constant threat to the United States and its citizens in the form of terrorism. Taking the proper steps is crucial to ensure the Homeland stays protected as well as the people that rightfully live in it. There are still many terrorist organizations that have explicitly spoken and wrote about having their ultimate goal to inflict terrorism on the United States. These organizations are being constantly monitored with professionals and counterterrorism agencies. The National Counterterrorism center is one of the leading agencies in gathering intelligence and reporting on potential terrorism activity.
The United States 's utilizes a policy of assured destruction as a means of deterrence. The American defense maintains a true and credible ability to requite any nuclear attack in greater and more devastating force. This policy is meant to assure the aggressive entity that a nuclear attack on the United States, whether it be its military, industry, or its society, would equivalent to “suicide”. The United States wants to maintain an upper hand against other nations with nuclear potential by maintaining that no such nation would have a superior “first-strike capability”. First-strike capability is not just defined as a nation’s ability to make a deadly strike first, but it also refers to that nation’s ability to eliminate their enemy’s second-strike forces.
Omar Bradley spoken once that, “If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.” In the 1950’s, Ray Bradbury writes a stories about how technology could change the future. Ray Bradbury is a fantasy and horror author because at a young age he was interested in adventurous and fantasy fiction books. Which connects to the story called “There Will Come Soft Rains,” by Ray Bradbury and shows the truth of technology. Hence fourth, technology has harmed society.
As countries become more aware of nuclear weapons and warfare, this poses a great threat on the world. Nuclear Weapons are the most dangerous weapons on earth. “One can destroy a whole city, potentially killing millions and jeopardizing the natural environment and lives of future generations through its long-term catastrophic effects. ”(3.) We can clearly see the effects of nuclear warfare from the statistics in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Maybe not, a nuclear bomb if deployed in a strategically correct location could kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and make the land unlivable for hundreds of years (Smetana). The world is spending billions on weapons that could kill hundreds of thousands of people, but never is actually deployed into
When man’s reach exceeds his grasp, he will bring about his own destruction. This idea is present in many of Ray Bradbury’s pieces. In one of Bradbury’s works, “August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains”, the author presents the idea that man’s complacency with technology will only cause humanity’s destruction. Bradbury’s short story indirectly warns the readers of the dangers of letting humanity’s scientific achievements run wild.
The four main types of radiological and nuclear terrorism is the seizing of an intact nuclear weapon, making an improvised nuclear device, dispersing radiological material, and attacking or sabotaging a nuclear facility. The seizure of an intact nuclear weapon would be quite a coup for a terrorist organization. The acquisition would require either gaining the assistance of a country or a nuclear custodian, or through the theft of such weaponry. Due to the increased efforts of the international counter proliferation agreements, theft is the most likely way for a terrorist organization to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Nations can control their weapons and would only use them to go to war. They can use them whenever they want and it 's all up to the government to use them. They don 't have to ask the people if they have to use them, they will just launch them whenever
Suicide attacks provide organisations with a cost-effective way of intimidating a target, and increasing the costs of noncompliance with their demands (Hoffman & McCormick 2004, p. 249). Terrorist organisations that use suicide attacks are better positioned to increase the fear and expectations regarding escalating costs because they intentionally breach the norms in their use of violence. They do this by violating taboos regarding legitimate targets, and by using violence that causes excess damage. The element of suicide also helps to increase the image of a strong organisation by inferring that the attackers cannot be deterred (Pape 2003, p. 347). The attacks convey to the target that violence will continue and retaliatory attacks cannot dissuade the organisation.
Law’s application ICJ decides based on the most relevant applicable law which consists of the provision of UN charter that related to the threat of nuclear weapon, the principle and rules of international humanitarian law, law of neutrality, and other relevant treaties on nuclear weapon. UN charter Article 2(4) for generally prohibits the threat and use of force whether it would be directed against territorial or political independence of states, it is known as unlawful aggression; the complementary to article 2(4) is article 51 regard to the rights of individual and collective self-defense if arm attack occurs, including cyber-attacks; article 42 on authorize of UNSC to take military enforcement measures on any type of weapon employed.
Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda organization is one of the examples of a terrorist group that uses nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons for mass destruction. It even is continuing to develop and use such weapons as well as making attempts in obtaining radioactive material for a radiological weapon. All of these types of weapons of mass destruction discussed above prove to be very dangerous to our society and environment. In the further sections it will be made clear as to what changes have taken place in the production, development and usage of such havoc-causing weapons and how it is slowly becoming a part of all the