The CNU professor investigated programs in the U.S. and elsewhere. He found
that many countries lost nuclear material or have insecure operations.
BY ANGELA FOREST
Daily Press
September 25, 2004
NEWPORT NEWS -- Many argue that the world was transformed by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but those who study nuclear weapons development might add another date - Aug. 6, 1945, when the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Japan.
While other weapons of mass destruction have recently attracted more attention, the nuclear threat has not gone away. In fact, according to Nathan Busch, an assistant professor of world politics at Christopher Newport University, the possibility of countries unleashing their nuclear arsenals on their regional or world neighbors is as great as ever.
In his book, "No End in Sight: The Continuing Menace of Nuclear Proliferation," Busch details his seven-year investigation into the safety and security of nuclear programs in this country and others - including Russia, China, Iran, India, Pakistan and North Korea. He determined that many countries either have lost nuclear material or maintain operations that could allow it to fall into the hands of people interested in hurting countries such as the United States.
During the early years of nuclear development in the United States, officials shipped plutonium by mail in a box, Busch said. A few years ago, a mock terrorist attack to test readiness at the Pantex nuclear facility in Texas resulted in the guards shooting at each other 20 minutes after the mock "terrorists" escaped with plutonium. Still, Busch said his research indicated that American nuclear sites would be difficult for terrorists to access.
"Overall security is pretty tight," he said. However, he noted that "when you're dealing with a highly trained terrorist attack, it's difficult to defend a facility."
Terrorist groups don't have the technical expertise and nuclear materials to manufacture weapons, but that could change, Busch said. Al-Qaida has been trying for over a decade to acquire material to create nuclear weapons.
"Terrorist groups like al-Qaida are well funded, extensive and, given enough time and safe haven, could potentially build a nuclear weapon," he said.
Of the countries he studied, Busch said, Russia and Pakistan are two where the risk is greatest. The concern in Russia stems from lax security. In Pakistan, it's related to radical ideology.
"The Russian government has admitted to around two dozen instances of theft or attempted thefts" that were tracked, Busch said, adding that U.S. government officials have noted other cases where Russian nuclear material was stolen and never recovered. At least one notable scientist involved with Pakistan's nuclear program has been accused of consulting with Osama bin Laden.
The Chronicle of Higher Education magazine has featured Busch and his book, which should be going into bookstores in the next few weeks. In a Chronicle interview, Busch said he was raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where his father worked as a laser physicist at the national laboratory there.
As part of research for the book, Busch worked for a year and a half at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He also spent a year and half at Harvard University, where he spoke with former officials tied to India's nuclear program. He also reviewed unclassified government documents, CIA intelligence reports and information from congressional hearings.
The book might be on a suggested reading list for some of his classes at
CNU, but Busch won't expect students to read it.
"It really used to rub me the wrong way when the professor would have his
own book as required reading."
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