FrontPage magazine on "Al-Qaeda's nukes"

FrontPage has an alarming discussion (October 27) of the threat of nuclear terrorism on U.S. territory, which, FPM suggests, is quite real. Various reputable sources have reported that Al-Qaeda has purchased tactical nuclear weapons, and nuclear materials, from the "Chechen Mafia" and other ex-Soviet suppliers during the past 10 years, according to journalist/author Paul Williams. Williams also believes that this "small arsenal" is being maintained and even further developed by Pakistani nuclear experts. "Few military and intelligence officials question bin Laden's ability to launch his plan for the American Hiroshima", says Williams. People evidently have difficulty conceiving of such an event, however, so "precious little is being done to avert it." Large numbers of cargo containers capable of carrying nuclear weapons continue to enter American ports, without inspection in 96% of cases, professor Harvey Kushner points out. The detonation of even a small nuclear weapon at an American port would not only kill thousands of people, but devastate the world economy as all port traffic was shut down to avoid further such attacks.

It seems that there are also credible reports that "nuclear demolition charges"—suitcase bombs—were hidden on American territory during the Cold War by Soviet agents, and that these could fall into Al-Qaeda's hands as a result of ties between that group and members or ex-members of the Russian intelligence services. Disturbing though this is, it may actually be less of a danger than the importation of new nuclear weapons into American territory, as such weapons become largely inoperable after being left unattended for a few months.