Pakistan and Nuclear Terrorism: How Real is the Threat?
Author(s)
Clarke, Michael
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2013
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and proliferation record have often been identified as a threat to regional and international security. Over the last decade, however, the focus of international concern has shifted to questions surrounding the safety and security of Pakistan's military and civilian nuclear complex. As Pakistan's domestic political situation has deteriorated, fears have grown that its nuclear weapons, technologies, and materials may fall into the hands of extremist nonstate actors, such as the Taliban or al Qaeda, imperiling international security. This article presents three major arguments in this respect: ...
View more >Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and proliferation record have often been identified as a threat to regional and international security. Over the last decade, however, the focus of international concern has shifted to questions surrounding the safety and security of Pakistan's military and civilian nuclear complex. As Pakistan's domestic political situation has deteriorated, fears have grown that its nuclear weapons, technologies, and materials may fall into the hands of extremist nonstate actors, such as the Taliban or al Qaeda, imperiling international security. This article presents three major arguments in this respect: significant opportunities exist at each level of Pakistan's nuclear complex for the theft or diversion of nuclear weapons/materials by nonstate actors; a major concern is Pakistan's expansion in its production of high-enriched uranium and plutonium; and the threat to Pakistan's nuclear weapons/materials is significant but has been overstated.
View less >
View more >Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and proliferation record have often been identified as a threat to regional and international security. Over the last decade, however, the focus of international concern has shifted to questions surrounding the safety and security of Pakistan's military and civilian nuclear complex. As Pakistan's domestic political situation has deteriorated, fears have grown that its nuclear weapons, technologies, and materials may fall into the hands of extremist nonstate actors, such as the Taliban or al Qaeda, imperiling international security. This article presents three major arguments in this respect: significant opportunities exist at each level of Pakistan's nuclear complex for the theft or diversion of nuclear weapons/materials by nonstate actors; a major concern is Pakistan's expansion in its production of high-enriched uranium and plutonium; and the threat to Pakistan's nuclear weapons/materials is significant but has been overstated.
View less >
Journal Title
Comparative Strategy
Volume
32
Issue
2
Subject
International Relations
Political Science