The Nuclear Threat After the Soviet Union's Fall

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, there was a significant risk of nuclear materials falling into the wrong hands, as many facilities in former Soviet states became unsecured. The new Russian government struggled to manage or secure these materials, leaving opportunities for hostile states and terrorist groups to acquire them. In this chaotic landscape, operatives from countries like Iran and North Korea began to offer financial incentives to gain access to uranium and nuclear expertise. Immediate actions by American diplomats and their international counterparts were critical to prevent a potential nuclear catastrophe during this precarious period.