NUCLEAR   SECURITY AND TERRORIST

 

 

The recent terrorist attacks in Europe and other parts of the world   , raised the alarm, if terrorist had gotten their hands on nuclear weapons or even a primitive “dirty bomb”, of nuclear material. International efforts to prevent access to such weapons are of utmost importance. Obama in 2010 aims to address this problem to secure and eliminate weapons-usable nuclear materials. The president’s lendable nonproliferation agenda, which help earn him the Noble Peace Prize.

At the end of March 2016, US President hosted in Washington the fourth Nuclear Security Summit.  The holding at the eve of the summit, of the NGO’s and Nuclear Industry events which have their input to these important issues.

During these events the participants viewed a new documentary film which will be released next September with the name “Command and Control” , it was sponsored by several parties active in the field of Nuclear Security.

The film highlights on thousands of missiles in US with Nuclear warheads, in the first decade of US Nuclear program since the Second World War. One of these missiles caught fire by accident and some of the workers in the site were killed and others were wounded .But luckily the Nuclear warhead did not explode.

In this first decade of the US Nuclear program about one thousand accident took place, with the average of one hundred annually , and one could imagine since then until now ,almost half a century ,how many unreported accidents took place in US and other countries having Nuclear program . 

This shows how much the matter of Nuclear Security is necessary at all times, including at the time of peace .The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been consistently recognized as an important Agency in playing a crucial role in nuclear security.

The IAEA Agency already handles verification of nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear safety and technical cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy ,and one the latest works of IAEA is how much its verification role regarding Iran Nuclear Deal  will be fulfilled . The Agency has nearly universal membership (167) , and even if that decisions more difficult , all countries can take part and be heard .

IAEA forthcoming December meeting should take decisions about what activities, it  will assume on Nuclear Security. The Agency can use the upcoming December Ministerial  and other gatherings to raise awareness that all countries should be concerned with nuclear security ,even if it may be difficult to achieve consensus among its members on ambitious measures to enhance it.The  challenge,also will be muster the necessary financial and political support for the Agency to fulfill this mandate.

The IAEA offers a wide range of services to Member states that need, continuing political, technical and financial support. In 1970 it began developing guidelines for the physical protection of nuclear material that have been updated periodically, known as INFCIRC/225(IAEA,2015 .    The same situation faces the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Program, which provides assistance to developing countries, some of which is related to Nuclear Security. Thus if  countries assume that the IAEA will take on responsibilities from the Nuclear Security Summits , the need to support the recommendations  they  make , both politically and financially .

The Agency can maintain the momentum in strengthening Nuclear Security by convening Ministerial meetings on the issue every other year , or even convening a Head of State-level summit if warranted by an extraordinary event such as a nuclear security incident .

Some have advocated a new Nuclear Security Convention to establish binding standards based on those proposed by the IAEA , others oppose more conventions with the little progress of NPT , yet might agree on Nuclear Banning.

A more difficult challenge for IAEA involvement is nuclear security in respect of the enormous amount  of materials used for military purposes – weapons, stockpiles and submarines . Naval highly enriched fuel poses multiple risks .It creates cover  for countries to develop nuclear weapons , since  naval fuel is excluded from international inspections  under the NPT. The conversion of naval nuclear fuel could yield the greatest reduction in bomb-grade uranium commerce in history .Nuclear fuel development typically requires at least five years to assess feasibility .

The nuclear weapon states recognized by the NPT have ceased the production of fissile material (plutonium  and HEU ) for weapons purposes as a result of their respective universal  moratoria   .A         US-Russian cooperation on Nuclear Terrorism , could be a possible  way to bring them together , but how much confidence building measures are needed to achieve this  .   

Certainly there are risks and benefits for HEU, and we should not eliminate it , but to minimize its risk. Within the IAEA ,the Program of Action on Cancer Therapy (PACT)  serves as a model for soliciting support .

To support the US government deliberative process on  selected Gain –of-Function (GOF) research, the scientific  and technical issues should underline the potential risks and benefits of GOF research involving pathogens with pandemic potential . Also to provide a mechanism to engage the life sciences community and the broader public as well as solicit   feedback  on optimal approaches  to ensure effective oversight of GOF research.

Governments and NGOs  should work together as it is a mutual concern, to supervise  the global commerce in highly enriched uranium (HEU), to prevent terrorist from obtaining even a small quantity of 110 pounds of the stuff, that could set off an explosion similr to that of Hiroshima 1945.

 

 The United States and Russia have reduced their nuclear arsenals, at the same time both countries are pursuing costly new modernization programs .Other countries also expanding their programs. It is needed to de-escalate stockpiles of nuclear weapons and nuclear material that could increase again.

An increasing number of developing  countries are pursuing nuclear energy projects , though they lack the legal and security requirements to ensure that such programs, designed to produce power , not weapons ,  could be protected and the lessons from Fukushima  shows that even highly indisterialized countries are challenged in protecting such projects .