Antinuclear Terrorism in the Advanced Industrial West (From Political Terrorism and Energy - The Threat and Response, P 191-208, 1982, Yonah Alexander and Charles K Ebinger, eds. - See NCJ-90259)

• NCJ Number: 90265
• Author(s): J F Pilat
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Praeger Publishers
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Terrorism directed against nuclear facilities may be motivated by antinuclear sentiments alone or in alliance with national-separatism, anticapitalism, or other sociopolitical beliefs. Antinuclear terrorism may also be perpetrated by infiltrators or foreign agents, using the antinuclear movement as a cover.

Abstract

If terrorists desire to wound the West's nuclear programs, they would have to divert radioactive materials, allowing them to build an atomic weapon or disseminate radioactivity, or incapacitate a reactor or its electronic systems so as to cause a catastrophe. Antinuclear terrorism in the 1980's is likely to increase particularly in countries such as Italy, which has discontented groups living in a climate of political violence. Antinuclear terrorism may be expected to correlate with both the rise and decline of the antinuclear movement. National-separatism and anticapitalist movements will inspire antinuclear terrorism. Examples of antinuclear terrorism throughout the world are included. A total of 23 reference notes are provided.