Nuclear Issues

The networks of middlemen and intermediaries involved in the illicit procurement of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related goods and technologies often operate outside of the United States, which presents several legal and political challenges regarding U.S. trade control enforcement activities. This report considers the extraterritorial efforts of U.S. law enforcement in counterproliferation-related activities and their implications. In other words, how does the United States contend with violations of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related trade controls in overseas jurisdictions, and what are the implications for broader U.S. and international nonproliferation efforts, as well as wider international security and economic concerns? 

The Preventive Defense Project convened a workshop of leading federal government civilian and military officials, scientists, policy experts, and journalists in Washington, D.C. to address "The Day After: Action in the 24 Hours Following a Nuclear Blast in an American City."

Graham Allison creates a report card on global efforts/non-efforts on preventing nuclear terrorism.

Nearly five years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, has the government adequately protected its citizens against terrorism and catastrophic disaster?

The gravest threat facing Americans today is a terrorist detonating a nuclear bomb in one of our cities. The National Security Advisory Group (NSAG) judges that the Bush administration is taking insufficient actions to counter this threat.

Interim Report from the Policy Advisory Group (PAG), a panel of experts convened to provide advice to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on what Congress and the administration should do to strengthen the NPT system.

Research Associate Matthew Bunn presented at the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management Annual Meeting on the importance of incentives in promoting and improving nuclear security.

Stephen LaMontagne considers the possibility of a multinational supply regime

The September 11 large-scale terrorist attack shows the threat of nuclear terrorism is real. Recent seizures of stolen weapons-usable fissile materials (HEU and plutonium) make clear that establishing modern, well-designed nuclear material protection, control, and accounting (MPC&A) systems to secure nuclear material everywhere is critical to prevent against nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. This work will assess the current status of China’s MPC&A system, analyze existing regulations and administrative systems, and recommend steps for improvement, including international cooperation.

A paper by the National Security Advisory Group