Friday, August 26, 2016

Nuclear Smuggling as written for Prof. Keith Hansen, Sierra Nevada College


Subject:
Nuclear smugglers exist and continue to be a threat to US National Security.

Issue Description:
FBI and European authorities have joined together in a cooperative effort to interrupt and dismantle attempts over the last five years (made by gangs with suspected connections to Russia) to sell radioactive material to Middle Eastern extremists, but are losing the battle.

Critical Information:
Criminal organizations (some with ties to the Russian KGB’s successor agency the Federal Security Bureau, FSB) have been driving a nuclear material black market.  This action has been caused primarily because Russian/ US cooperation regarding nuclear / radioactive materials has degraded, and has paved the way for smugglers to gain control of radioactive material due to a lack of regulation.

Analysis:
During an investigation by the AP, a vulnerability in the current anti-smuggling strategy was discovered that include actions by authorities that have caused premature arrests thusly allowing the ringleaders to not only escape, but flee with their merchandise.  The AP also discovered that authorities do not know whether or not the sellers of these materials have been able to successfully sell the material to buyers who intend harm against the US and our citizens across the globe.

Conclusion:
Smuggling nuclear weapons and tracking radioactive material should be priority number one on the President’s agenda. In a world where the Radical Islamic State exists, it is imperative that dirty bombs and blueprints for nuclear device, missiles, and weapons not fall into the hands of terrorists.  Recommendation: Dismantle and destroy smuggling operations as priority ONE in the war against terror. Use of Clandestine service and boots on the ground recommended.

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