Publication

This paper discusses the security threats posed by the widespread supply of radioactive material in high-risk states. The author looks at the recent thefts of radiological materials in Iraq and Mexico and examines the risk of malevolent actors acquiring radioactive material to build explosive radiation detonation devices (eRDD), or “dirty bombs”. He then examines which radionuclides could be used in eRDDs and how the physical and psychological effects of an eRDD would impact national security.