What Happens If...? Terrorists, Revolutionaries, and Nuclear Weapons

David Krieger
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David Krieger: San Francisco State University

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 1977, vol. 430, issue 1, 44-57

Abstract: This paper explores what may happen if ter rorists or revolutionaries are able to develop nuclear explo sives or the ability to dispense radioactive materials. Contin ued proliferation of so-called peaceful nuclear technology will increase the likelihood of this happening. The consequences are substantial, since nuclear technology would provide terrorists or revolutionaries with a lever for threatening or carrying out acts of mass destruction against a society. Deterrence would be ineffective against terrorists who are unidentified and/or unlocatable, or at least believe themselves to be so. Complications would arise, which could potentially trigger an international war, if nuclear-armed terrorists or revolutionaries deliberately misidentify themselves. The solution to the problem would require perfect safeguarding of nuclear weapons and special nuclear materials on a global scale. The record in the United States, a technologically advanced nation with an established nuclear program, sug gests that perfect safeguards are unlikely to be achieved. Thus, future policy-makers may face a significantly enhanced threat from terrorists or revolutionaries in possession of a nuclear weapon.

Date: 1977
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:anname:v:430:y:1977:i:1:p:44-57

DOI: 10.1177/000271627743000106

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