The addition of sophisticated enhancers such as beryllium neutron reflectors can boost the yield and make it more certain that the bomb will go off. Western experts also fret that Russia's nuclear scientists may be prime recruiting targets for countries seeking a short cut to nuclear weapons. The U.S. government has targeted Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria and Libya as rogue states that have attempted to go nuclear. So far there is no hard evidence that any Russian technician has gone abroad as a nuclear adviser. More than three years ago, the Russian secret police did block a group of engineers from fulfilling a contract with Pyongyang, but their work appeared to be related to rocket and missile design, not nuclear weapons.
Some experts downplay the threat of nuclear terrorism.
Known smuggling cases are few, he maintains. Indeed, after a spate of worrisome smuggling cases last year, the flow of nuclear contraband from the former Soviet Union seemed to have halted. Criminals bent on making money might choose to smuggle other profitable contraband, such as narcotics, rather than one sure to arouse intense scrutiny from Western security services. Still, the greatest danger is not from the known smuggling attempts, but from the plot that remains concealed until that horrible day when the innocent-looking van parked in the city center turns out to be a doomsday weapon. All Rights Reserved.