subject: How Real Is The Possibility Of A Nuclear Terrorist Attack? [print this page] The threat of a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States or one of our allies is as real as it can be. There are radical Islamic terrorists who would do anything to be able to pull of such an attack against us. A nuclear bomb or a dirty bomb detonated in a highly populated area at the right time would give terrorists the biggest propaganda victory that they could ever hope for. It could conceivably result in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent citizens and would be a devastating blow to the morale of the country attacked.
It could conceivably result in world war as the country attacked tries to retaliate against its attackers. Look at the result of the bombing of the world trade center. Nine years and thousands of casualties later we are embroiled in a fight which encompasses much of the area of the Middle East and the end is not in sight.
The United States is vulnerable to this type of attack for several reasons. The first is that our borders are porus in many places. The border with Mexico seems to be the most porus because most of the country is surrounded by ocean. A nuclear device could easily be transported across the Mexican border by person or in a vehicle. A device could also be smuggled in by ship or plane. Our government is doing all that they can to firm up our borders but the public needs to realize that we cant put all of the pressure for protecting us on our government. We need to realize that the possibility of this type of attack is very real and respond accordingly. Our government is quietly scrambling behind the scenes to do whatever they can, but yet again we the people need to recognize the seriousness of the situation and act accordingly.
One action that our government is taking is attempting to establish accountability for all of the nuclear bombs and fissionable material in the world and holding the countries that have it accountable for safeguarding it. This is a noble effort and could very well work but the curve ball is what would happen if a rogue nation such as Iran decided to allow the material to make its way into the hands of terrorists.
This type of plan must be worked very closely in order for it to work. It is possible that it will work long enough for us to come up with a more effective course of action but we need to continue to work desperately to keep the spread of fissionable materials under control. We must also continue to work desperately to disarm the world of nuclear weapons and materials.
Our biggest threat comes from al-Qaeda for the reason that they would be the ones to benefit the most from this type of attack. There would not be a financial gain for them but the political gain would be worth its weight in gold for them. The next biggest threat comes from al-Qaeda wannabes who would enjoy the glory that they would receive from successfully pulling off this type of attack. The next threat would come from a rogue country such as Iran.
The Iranians definitely would consider using this type of weapon in a preemptive attack. Their aim would not be propaganda but a delusion by their president that it is his destiny to do so. This is the reason that the US and other countries are trying so hard to make sure that the Iranian government doesnt acquire nuclear weapons. Military Ring Express
