Nuclear terrorism: Difference between revisions
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In June 2002, U.S. citizen [[José Padilla (alleged terrorist)|Jose Padilla]] was arrested for allegedly planning a radiological attack on the city of [[Chicago]]; however, he was never charged with such conduct. He was instead convicted of charges that he conspired to "murder, kidnap and maim" people overseas. |
In June 2002, U.S. citizen [[José Padilla (alleged terrorist)|Jose Padilla]] was arrested for allegedly planning a radiological attack on the city of [[Chicago]]; however, he was never charged with such conduct. He was instead convicted of charges that he conspired to "murder, kidnap and maim" people overseas. |
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In November 2006, [[MI5]] warned that [[Islamic terrorists]], specifically the [[al-Qaida]] were planning on using nuclear weapons against cities in the [[United Kingdom]] by obtaining the bombs via [[clandestine]] means.[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1947295,00.html] |
In November 2006, [[MI5]] has warned that [[Islamic terrorists]], specifically the [[al-Qaida]] were planning on using nuclear weapons against cities in the [[United Kingdom]] by obtaining the bombs via [[clandestine]] means.[http://politics.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1947295,00.html] |
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In June 2007 Fox News claimed that the FBI (U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation) released to the press the name of the operations leader [[Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah|for developing tactical plans for detonating nuclear bombs in several American cities simultaneously.]] |
In June 2007 Fox News claimed that the FBI (U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation) released to the press the name of the operations leader [[Adnan Gulshair el Shukrijumah|for developing tactical plans for detonating nuclear bombs in several American cities simultaneously.]] |
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==Radiological poisoning== |
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*Poisoning of [[Nikolai Khokhlov]] by radioactive [[thallium]] poisoning in Frankfurt in [[1957]] by [[KGB]] <ref>[http://2004.novayagazeta.ru/nomer/2004/46n/n46n-s10.shtml Meeting with past (Russian)] </ref>. |
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*[[Alexander Litvinenko poisoning|Assassination of Alexander Litvinenko]] with [[radionuclide]] [[polonium-210]] on [[November 1]] [[2006]] <ref> "Ushering in the era of nuclear terrorism", by Patterson, Andrew J. MD, PhD, ''Critical Care Medicine'', v. 35, p.953-954, 2007.</ref> <ref>"Beyond the Dirty Bomb: Re-thinking Radiological Terror", by James M. Acton; M. Brooke Rogers; Peter D. Zimmerman, ''Survival'', Volume 49, Issue 3 September 2007, pages 151 - 168 </ref><ref>"The Litvinenko File: The Life and Death of a Russian Spy", by Martin Sixsmith, True Crime, 2007 ISBN 0-312-37668-5, page 14. </ref> <ref name="Bellona"/> |
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*Death of [[Yuri Shchekochikhin]] on July 3, [[2003]] in Moscow <ref name="dissident"> [[Alexander Goldfarb (author)|Alex Goldfarb]] and Marina Litvinenko. "[[Death of a dissident|Death of a Dissident: The Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the Return of the KGB.]]" Free Press, New York, 2007. ISBN 978-1416551652. </ref> <ref name="Halloran">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/file_on_4/6324241.stm ''Russia's poisoning 'without a poison' '' – Julian O'Halloran, BBC Radio 4, 6 February 2007].Retrieved on [[2007-07-30]].</ref> (suspected) |
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==Recovering lost weapons & material== |
==Recovering lost weapons & material== |
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== Countries involved in nuclear threat == |
== Countries involved in nuclear threat == |
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Some nations have been identified as a "nuclear threat" by |
Some nations have been identified as a "nuclear threat" by countries like USA, China et al. based on the threat perception the nukes and its misuse they might have. Pakistan tops the list of nations whose possession of nuclear weapons poses a serious and grave risk to international security by proliferation to various countries including North Korea. According to a recent poll of 100 US foreign policy experts by the Centre for American Progress and the Carnegie Endowment, both in Washington, Pakistan poses today’s greatest nuclear threat to the world.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2368174.ece How the West summoned up a nuclear nightmare in Pakistan] [[September 2]], [[2007]] [[The Sunday Times ]]</ref> Pakistan's nuclear chief A.Q. Khan had also sold nuclear secrets in the black market and is likely to pose a threat in the form of a [[dirty bomb]] attack. |
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==Allegations of preparations to nuclear sabotage== |
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The highest-ranking [[GRU]] defector [[Stanislav Lunev]] described alleged Soviet plans for using [[tactical nuclear weapons]] for [[sabotage]] against the United states in the event of war. He described Soviet-made [[suitcase nukes]] identified as RA-115s (or RA-115-01s for submersible weapons) which weigh from fifty to sixty pounds. These portable bombs can last for many years if wired to an electric source. “In case there is a loss of power, there is a battery backup. If the battery runs low, the weapon has a transmitter that sends a coded message – either by satellite or directly to a [[GRU]] post at a Russian embassy or consulate.” <ref name="Lunev">[[Stanislav Lunev]]. ''Through the Eyes of the Enemy: The Autobiography of Stanislav Lunev'', Regnery Publishing, Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-89526-390-4.</ref>. |
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==Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nakasaki == |
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Lunev was personally looking for hiding places for weapons caches in the [[Shenandoah Valley]] area. <ref name="Lunev"/> He said that "it is surprisingly easy to smuggle nuclear weapons into the US" ether across the Mexican border or using a small transport missile that can slip undetected when launched from a Russian airplane <ref name="Lunev"/> US Congressman [[Curt Weldon]] supported claims by Lunev, but "Weldon said later the FBI discredited Lunev, saying that he exaggerated things." <ref>Nicholas Horrock, [http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2001/12/20/fbi_focusing_on_portable_nuke_threat/9007/ "FBI focusing on portable nuke threat"], ''UPI'' (20 December 2001).</ref> Searches of the areas identified by Lunev - who admits he never planted any weapons in the US - have been conducted, "but law-enforcement officials have never found such weapons caches, with or without portable nuclear weapons."<ref> Steve Goldstein and Chris Mondics, "Some Weldon-backed allegations unconfirmed; Among them: A plot to crash planes into a reactor, and missing suitcase-size Soviet atomic weapons." ''Philadelphia Inquirer'' (15 March 2006) A7.</ref> |
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The [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] are considered to be acts of nuclear terrorism (specifically, nuclear [[state terrorism]]) by some groups.[http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=26610][http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0805-03.htm][http://www.fff.org/comment/com0408b.asp][http://www.tamilnation.org/humanrights/hiroshima.htm] |
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==Allegations of privately owned nuclear weapons== |
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According to high-ranking Russian [[Foreign Intelligence Service (Russia)|SVR]] defector [[Sergei Tretyakov (intelligence officer)|Tretyakov]], he had a meeting with two Russian businessman representing a state-created ''Chetek'' corporation in 1991. They came up with a fantastic project of destroying large quantities of chemical wastes collected from Western countries at the island of [[Novaya Zemlya]] (a test place for Soviet nuclear weapons) using an underground nuclear blast. The project was rejected by Canadian representatives, but one of the businessmen told to Tretiakov that he keeps his own nuclear bomb at his [[dacha]] outside [[Moscow]]. Tretiakov thought that man was insane, but the "businessmen" (Vladimir K. Dmitriev) replied: "Do not be so naive. With economic conditions the way they are in Russia today, anyone with enough money can buy a nuclear bomb. It's no big deal really" <ref name="Comrade J">Pete Earley, "Comrade J: The Untold Secrets of Russia's Master Spy in America After the End of the Cold War", Penguin Books, 2007, ISBN-13 978-0-399-15439-3, pages 114-121.</ref>. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 00:21, 14 May 2008
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| Terrorism |
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| Nuclear weapons |
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| Background |
| Nuclear-armed states |
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Nuclear terrorism denotes the use, or threat of the use, of nuclear weapons or radiological weapons in acts of terrorism, including attacks against facilities where radioactive materials are present.[1] In legal terms, nuclear terrorism is an offense committed if a person unlawfully and intentionally “uses in any way radioactive material … with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury”, according to International conventions.[2]
The notion of terrorist organizations using nuclear weapons (especially very small ones, such as suitcase nukes) has been a threat in American rhetoric and culture.
Overview
Two of the main dangers associated with nuclear reactors are nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. Terrorism involving nuclear weapons or radioactive materials could take a variety of forms. Terrorists could:
- Attack a nuclear reactor.
- Disrupt critical inputs (eg., water supply) for the safe running of a nuclear reactor.
- Steal nuclear fuel or waste.
- Acquire fissile material and fabricate a crude nuclear bomb.
- Acquire a ready-made nuclear weapon or take over a nuclear-armed submarine, plane or base.[3]
Planned and attempted attacks
In June 2002, U.S. citizen Jose Padilla was arrested for allegedly planning a radiological attack on the city of Chicago; however, he was never charged with such conduct. He was instead convicted of charges that he conspired to "murder, kidnap and maim" people overseas.
In November 2006, MI5 has warned that Islamic terrorists, specifically the al-Qaida were planning on using nuclear weapons against cities in the United Kingdom by obtaining the bombs via clandestine means.[1]
In June 2007 Fox News claimed that the FBI (U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation) released to the press the name of the operations leader for developing tactical plans for detonating nuclear bombs in several American cities simultaneously.
Radiological poisoning
- Poisoning of Nikolai Khokhlov by radioactive thallium poisoning in Frankfurt in 1957 by KGB [4].
- Assassination of Alexander Litvinenko with radionuclide polonium-210 on November 1 2006 [5] [6][7] [1]
- Death of Yuri Shchekochikhin on July 3, 2003 in Moscow [8] [9] (suspected)
Recovering lost weapons & material
In August 2002, the United States launched a program to track and secure enriched uranium from 24 Soviet-style reactors in 16 countries, in order to reduce the risk of the materials falling into the hands of terrorists or "rogue states". The first such operation was Project Vinca, an operation in Serbia "to remove a quantity of highly enriched uranium, sufficient to produce 2-1/2 nuclear weapons from a research reactor near downtown Belgrade" [2].
In order to reduce the danger of attacks using nuclear waste material, European Union Commissioner Loyola de Palacio suggested in November 2002 the creation of common standards in the European Union, especially in the new member states operating Soviet-era reactors, for subterranean nuclear waste disposal.
Countries involved in nuclear threat
Some nations have been identified as a "nuclear threat" by countries like USA, China et al. based on the threat perception the nukes and its misuse they might have. Pakistan tops the list of nations whose possession of nuclear weapons poses a serious and grave risk to international security by proliferation to various countries including North Korea. According to a recent poll of 100 US foreign policy experts by the Centre for American Progress and the Carnegie Endowment, both in Washington, Pakistan poses today’s greatest nuclear threat to the world.[10] Pakistan's nuclear chief A.Q. Khan had also sold nuclear secrets in the black market and is likely to pose a threat in the form of a dirty bomb attack.
Allegations of preparations to nuclear sabotage
The highest-ranking GRU defector Stanislav Lunev described alleged Soviet plans for using tactical nuclear weapons for sabotage against the United states in the event of war. He described Soviet-made suitcase nukes identified as RA-115s (or RA-115-01s for submersible weapons) which weigh from fifty to sixty pounds. These portable bombs can last for many years if wired to an electric source. “In case there is a loss of power, there is a battery backup. If the battery runs low, the weapon has a transmitter that sends a coded message – either by satellite or directly to a GRU post at a Russian embassy or consulate.” [11].
Lunev was personally looking for hiding places for weapons caches in the Shenandoah Valley area. [11] He said that "it is surprisingly easy to smuggle nuclear weapons into the US" ether across the Mexican border or using a small transport missile that can slip undetected when launched from a Russian airplane [11] US Congressman Curt Weldon supported claims by Lunev, but "Weldon said later the FBI discredited Lunev, saying that he exaggerated things." [12] Searches of the areas identified by Lunev - who admits he never planted any weapons in the US - have been conducted, "but law-enforcement officials have never found such weapons caches, with or without portable nuclear weapons."[13]
Allegations of privately owned nuclear weapons
According to high-ranking Russian SVR defector Tretyakov, he had a meeting with two Russian businessman representing a state-created Chetek corporation in 1991. They came up with a fantastic project of destroying large quantities of chemical wastes collected from Western countries at the island of Novaya Zemlya (a test place for Soviet nuclear weapons) using an underground nuclear blast. The project was rejected by Canadian representatives, but one of the businessmen told to Tretiakov that he keeps his own nuclear bomb at his dacha outside Moscow. Tretiakov thought that man was insane, but the "businessmen" (Vladimir K. Dmitriev) replied: "Do not be so naive. With economic conditions the way they are in Russia today, anyone with enough money can buy a nuclear bomb. It's no big deal really" [14].
See also
- Terrorism
- Weapons of mass destruction
- Brittle Power
- List of crimes involving radioactive substances
- Nuclear espionage
- Nuclear 9/11
References
- ^ a b Radiological Terrorism: “Soft Killers” by Morten Bremer Mærli, Bellona Foundation
- ^ International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism
- ^ Nuclear terrorism
- ^ Meeting with past (Russian)
- ^ "Ushering in the era of nuclear terrorism", by Patterson, Andrew J. MD, PhD, Critical Care Medicine, v. 35, p.953-954, 2007.
- ^ "Beyond the Dirty Bomb: Re-thinking Radiological Terror", by James M. Acton; M. Brooke Rogers; Peter D. Zimmerman, Survival, Volume 49, Issue 3 September 2007, pages 151 - 168
- ^ "The Litvinenko File: The Life and Death of a Russian Spy", by Martin Sixsmith, True Crime, 2007 ISBN 0-312-37668-5, page 14.
- ^ Alex Goldfarb and Marina Litvinenko. "Death of a Dissident: The Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and the Return of the KGB." Free Press, New York, 2007. ISBN 978-1416551652.
- ^ Russia's poisoning 'without a poison' – Julian O'Halloran, BBC Radio 4, 6 February 2007.Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
- ^ How the West summoned up a nuclear nightmare in Pakistan September 2, 2007 The Sunday Times
- ^ a b c Stanislav Lunev. Through the Eyes of the Enemy: The Autobiography of Stanislav Lunev, Regnery Publishing, Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-89526-390-4.
- ^ Nicholas Horrock, "FBI focusing on portable nuke threat", UPI (20 December 2001).
- ^ Steve Goldstein and Chris Mondics, "Some Weldon-backed allegations unconfirmed; Among them: A plot to crash planes into a reactor, and missing suitcase-size Soviet atomic weapons." Philadelphia Inquirer (15 March 2006) A7.
- ^ Pete Earley, "Comrade J: The Untold Secrets of Russia's Master Spy in America After the End of the Cold War", Penguin Books, 2007, ISBN-13 978-0-399-15439-3, pages 114-121.
External links
- Large John H The Implications of 11 September for the Nuclear Industry, United Nations for Disarmament Research, Disarmament Forum, 2003 No 2, pp29-38
- What if the terrorists go nuclear?, Center for Defense Information
- Nuclear terrorism by Union of concerned scientists
- New Council on Foreign Relations report outlines ways to reduce the possibility of nuclear terrorism
- FBI Releases name of Operations Leader for Al Quaeda Nuclear Terror plot Against American Cities
- Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
- Article about Nuclear Terrorism written by author William Lambers that appeared in the Miami Herald (FL) and the Charleston Sunday Gazette-Mail
- Nuclear Terrorism - Crusade Media News
- Use of nuclear and radiological weapons by terrorists? Article in the International Review of the Red Cross
- Nuclear Files. org Information and articles relating to nuclear terrorism and its prevention
- Nuclear plant sabotage and terrorism Three Mile Island Alert identifies security incidents and issues
- "Can Terrorists Build Nuclear Weapons?" — article by five nuclear weapons scientists
- Nuclear terrorism top fear, survey says
- Annotated bibliography on nuclear terrorism from the Alsos Digital Library for Nuclear Issues
- [3] Online Nuclear Terrorism Tutorial