Nuclear weapons Tactics of terrorism

concerns have been raised regarding attacks involving nuclear weapons. considered plausible terrorists acquire nuclear weapon. in 2011, british news agency, telegraph, received leaked documents regarding guantanamo bay interrogations of khalid sheikh mohammed. documents cited khalid saying that, if osama bin laden captured or killed coalition of willing, al-qaeda sleeper cell detonate weapon of mass destruction in secret location in europe, , promised nuclear hellstorm .

while no terrorist group has ever acquired , used nuclear weapon, many political scientists , prominent government officials consider nuclear terrorism 1 of single greatest threats in global security. there strong evidence terrorist groups al-qaeda actively seeking acquire nuclear weapons, , plutonium or highly enriched uranium (heu) needed produce them. serious concern weaknesses in many states’ nuclear security apparatuses have left them susceptible theft or loss of heu or plutonium. according international atomic energy agency’s (iaea) illicit trafficking database (itdb), there have been 18 incidents of theft or loss of heu , plutonium reported in itdb’s participating states. given these serious concerns, united states, allies, , international organizations united nations have established several international agreements , initiatives ensure states’ nuclear security standards adequate , effective, , secure vulnerable , unprotected nuclear stockpiles around world on next few years.