NCJ Number
63455
Journal
International Journal of Group Tensions Volume: 6 Issue: NOS 1 AND 2 Dated: (1976) Pages: 53-66
Date Published
1976
Length
14 pages
Annotation
WITHOUT APPROPRIATE PREVENTIVE ACTIONS BY GOVERNMENTS, THE THREAT OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM WILL CREATE INTOLERABLE POLITICAL CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AS INDICATED IN AN ANALYSIS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
THE POSSIBILITIES FOR TERRORISTS' USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS HAS INCREASED AS DISAFFECTED GROUPS HAVE CEASED TO CONFINE THEIR VIOLENCE TO SPECIFIC POLITICAL OR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND HAVE CONDUCTED RANDOM ATTACKS ON THE PUBLIC. SUCH INDISCRIMINATE ASSAULTS, COUPLED WITH THE TERRORISTS' APPARENT INSENSITIVITY, TO PROMISES OF RETALIATION AND INDICATIONS OF TERRORIST COOPERATION, INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY THAT TERRORISTS WILL OBTAIN AND USE HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE WEAPONS. ALREADY OFFENDERS HAVE SHOT AT COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT WITH MISSILES AND HAVE MASSACRED PASSENGERS IN AIRPORTS. WITH SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS, ANY GROUP HAS A POTENTIAL TO PRECIPITATE EXTRAORDINARY LEVELS OF GLOBAL INSTABILITY. IRONICALLY, THE FEAR THAT TERRORISTS CAN STRIKE AT ANY PLACE AND AT ANY TIME MAY HAVE CREATED A HIGHLY TOLERANT ATTITUDE TOWARDS TERRORISM ON THE PART OF ITS POTENTIAL VICTIMS. MANY VULNERABLE PERSONS CONSIDER CAPITULATION AND RESIGNATION TO BE APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO TERRORISM. HOWEVER, EVEN NATIONS WHICH FEAR TERRORISM MAY TAKE STEPS TO CONVINCE TERRORISTS THAT THE PROSPECTIVE COSTS OF OFFENSES EXCEED THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS. COUNTERTERRORISM BY INDIVIDUAL STATES ACTING IN THE ABSENCE OF INTERNATIONAL REMEDIES MAY AT LEAST INVOLVE THE DENIAL OF SANCTUARIES TO TERRORISTS. NEVERTHELESS, MORE STRINGENT SECURITY MEASURES ARE REQUIRED FOR THE PROTECTION OF NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS AND ARSENALS. TERRORISTS COULD USE DIVERTED NUCLEAR COMPONENTS AND FUEL OR COULD SABOTAGE NUCLEAR FACILITIES. INTERNATIONAL TREATIES ARE REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE PROSPECT OF NUCLEAR THEFT. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)