Preventing Nuclear Terrorism: an Agenda for the Next President

In this summary of the more comprehensive "Securing the Bomb 2008" report, Matthew Bunn and Andrew Newman argue for a better coordinated approach from the new U.S. administration towards improving nuclear security and countering the threat of nuclear terrorism. Specifically, they advocate filling a senior position within the National Security Council spearheading the overall U.S. government effort in these areas, and allocating up to $500 million to this office.

One of the recommendations is for the new adminstration to work with other key nations to improve sustainability of nuclear security upgrades and improve security culture -- as was emphasized in the 2005 Bush-Putin Bratislava Initiative. With the IAEA Security Culture Implementing Guide in place, all that is needed is for the amended Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and Facilities to become legally binding. This is, however, still a remote possibility with only 19 states accepting or ratifying the document, as of October 2008, out of 60+ needed for it to come into force.