The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism, With Stephen Flynn
Jul 16, 2024
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Stephen Flynn, founding director of the Global Resilience Institute, discusses the threat of nuclear terrorism with a focus on preventing and responding to such incidents. Topics include the risk of non-state actors acquiring nuclear weapons, dirty bombs, global challenges in countering nuclear terrorism, and the importance of preparedness and response strategies.
U.S. government needs better strategies to prevent and respond to nuclear terrorism threats.
International collaboration and improved coordination crucial in countering nuclear terrorism risks.
Deep dives
The Range of Nuclear Threats Examined
The podcast delves into the various types of nuclear threats, including scenarios where non-state actors obtain nuclear weapons, improvised nuclear devices, or radiation dispersal devices. It highlights the significance of the threat posed by a 'dirty bomb' and the potential risks associated with attacking nuclear power plants.
Historical Perspective on Nuclear Terrorism
The episode explores the evolution of concerns regarding nuclear terrorism from the aftermath of 9/11 to present times. It discusses the initial high priority placed on nuclear threats post-9/11 and the subsequent shift in focus away from this critical issue, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the current nuclear terrorism landscape.
Challenges in Addressing Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism
The episode highlights the inadequacy of current US efforts in countering nuclear and radiological terrorism, which have not kept pace with the evolving threat landscape. It discusses how the focus on great power competition has overshadowed the terrorism risk, leading to a decline in essential capabilities and coordination.
Recommendations for Enhancing US Preparedness
Providing a set of recommendations, the podcast emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in addressing nuclear terrorism threats. It calls for improved coordination among various agencies, noting the lack of a central authority responsible for managing this complex threat. Additionally, the podcast stresses the need for enhanced local and state-level preparedness and response strategies to mitigate the impact of a potential nuclear terrorism event.
Stephen Flynn, chair of the Committee on Assessing WMD Nuclear Terrorism at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and a political science professor at Northeastern University, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the steps the U.S. government should take to prevent and respond to nuclear terrorism.