Potential Terrorist Threat to U.S. Nuclear Weapons Facilities and Systems (From Recent Trends and Future Prospects of Terrorism in the United States, P 60-64, 1988, Bruce Hoffman -- See NCJ-117144)

• NCJ Number: 117148
• Author(s): B Hoffman
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

There is no evidence to suggest that terrorist organizations have seriously considered attacking a nuclear weapons facility in the U.S.

Abstract

The possibility of nuclear terrorism is thought to be small because of the difficulty in obtaining the necessary materials, the lack of knowledge about the technical intricacies of nuclear weapons, and the internal dynamics of terrorist groups, all of which inhibit sudden escalations in levels of violence and tactics. There are few demands terrorists could make by threatening to explode a nuclear device; Terrorists operate on the principle of using the littlest force necessary. Past terrorist activity in this country has focused on symbolic bombings of undefended sites to call attention to political causes. The right-wing terrorists with their skills and weaponry are the most likely to attempt an attack, although there is no indication that they have the capabilities to build a nuclear device. Right-wing fanatics seem to lack the political, moral, and practical considerations that constrain most other terrorist groups. Some white supremacists have demonstrated a willingness to die in the commission of their acts which are designed to further their goals. A nuclear attack would help further their goals by killing their enemies and allowing for a new world order tailored to their beliefs. 9 notes.