Expanding Nuclear Energy, Preventing Nuclear Terrorism

Presentation to Energy & Security Search Seminar, Cambridge, Mass.

Matthew Bunn presented "Expanding Nuclear Energy, Preventing Nuclear Terrorism" to the Energy & Security Search Seminar on March 13, 2008. In his presentation, Dr. Bunn discussed the following policy recommendations to expand nuclear energy, while preventing nuclear terrorism.

Global nuclear security standards

• Best pursued initially through political-level commitments
• Make use of UN Security Council Resolution 1540

Nuclear material removals

• Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) has accelerated removals, but more needs to be done

Strengthening the sense of urgency

• Essential to convince national leaders, nuclear managers, that nuclear terrorism poses a real threat to their interests
• If such measures work, the probability of effective action to reduce nuclear terrorism risks will be high; if they do not work, the probability of success will be low