Front Lines of Nuclear Security

Developing Strategies for Strong Nuclear Security Implementation

In Nonproliferation Research

An act of nuclear terrorism anywhere in the world would be a global humanitarian, economic, and political catastrophe. While nobody knows which terrorist group will be the next to pursue a nuclear weapon or attempt to sabotage a nuclear power plant, we do know that terrorists or criminals would need to target one of the hundreds of nuclear facilities around the world. This is why the most effective strategy for preventing nuclear terrorism is to ensure strong and sustainable security for all weapons-usable nuclear materials and major nuclear facilities. Nuclear operators must foster organizational cultures that produce well-trained staff—from senior executive leadership to guard forces—dedicated to strong and sustainable nuclear security, and motivated to vigilantly watch for potential threats and vulnerabilities. Despite all of the attention to nuclear security in recent years, little is understood about how to actually accomplish these goals.

The “Front Lines of Nuclear Security” seeks to learn from experience, understand organizational dynamics and challenges, draw lessons for enhanced implementation of nuclear security, and work with governments and operators to get those lessons implemented.

Field Note
An exercise demonstrating how Russians would respond to a terrorist attack against their nuclear weapons.
William M. Moon
Policy Paper
A review of changes in the nuclear security environment and recommendations on how to build upon existing IAEA nuclear security recommendations
Nickolas Roth

Reports & Papers

Policy Paper
Case studies of crises that impact nuclear security provide important opportunities to learn and build resilience into nuclear facilities and organizations.
Nickolas Roth • Christopher Hobbs • Daniel Salisbury
Policy Paper
Emerging technologies area double-edged sword for nuclear security: with challenges and benefits upon implementation.
Nickolas Roth • Rebecca Earnhardt • Ian Andrews
Policy Paper
A review of changes in the nuclear security environment and recommendations on how to build upon existing IAEA nuclear security recommendations
Nickolas Roth
Report
Jacqueline Kempfer • Kathryn Rauhut • Lovely Umayam

Additional Research

Field Note
Delay, detect, deny, deter, defeat: the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren walks INSF members through nuclear security for ICBMs.
Christina McAllister • Sneha Nair
Resource
This new approach to identify and track warheads using cryptography can support a future agreement limiting warheads
William M. Moon
Policy Memo
Exploring the UK’s recent regulatory transition, the promotion of nuclear security culture, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Christopher Hobbs
Video
An extended interview with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency as he tackles the threat of nuclear proliferation in the middle of a global pandemic.
Brian Finlay
Field Note
Understanding technical exchanges conducted between the United States and Russia on inventory management provide insight into how to address current nuclear security challenges
William M. Moon
Resource
Case studies of crises that impact nuclear security provide important opportunities to learn and build resilience into nuclear facilities and organizations
Rebecca Earnhardt • Nickolas Roth • Daniel Salisbury
Field Note
Looking back on the Cooperative Threat Reduction program assistance in improving Russian personnel reliability programs provides valuable insights for today’s experts
William M. Moon
Field Note
Four Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program officers make a final visit to a Russian nuclear warhead storage site
William M. Moon

News & Commentary

Commentary
2021 exposed the growing threat of non-state actors to nuclear security – without renewed high-level multilateral cooperation to prevent nuclear terrorism risks in 2022, efforts to strengthen the international nuclear security architecture could face a critical juncture.
Sneha Nair • Nickolas Roth
Commentary
Civil society plays a critical role in strengthening nuclear security, offering creative, innovative, and interdisciplinary approaches in solving difficult nuclear security issues
Rebecca Earnhardt
Commentary
2020 presented numerous challenges to nuclear security, including the shift to primarily remote operations and sustaining international cooperation
Rebecca Earnhardt • Nickolas Roth
Op-Ed
The far-right extremist nuclear terrorism threat is amplified today by an ideology focused on accelerating the collapse of society
Nickolas Roth • Rebecca Earnhardt • Brendan Hyatt
Commentary
COVID-19 is decimating families, communities, economies, and, if not managed properly could, potentially undermine security at nuclear sites around the globe.
Nickolas Roth
Op-Ed
How Nuclear enterprises around the world are acting to maintain safety while providing power to vital operations during the COVID-19 crisis
Nickolas Roth
Op-Ed
Many nuclear establishments had planned against the possibility of an epidemic, but very likely the severity of the current crisis is beyond what was imagined
Nickolas Roth

Events

Search this project

Filter


Subscription Options

* indicates required

Research Areas

Pivotal Places

Publications & Project Lists

38 North: News and Analysis on North Korea