Sheltering the genie
Subtitle: the LIC threat to nuclear systems
By: by Paul Shemella
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Dept. of National Security Affairs
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1990
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Subjects: NUCLEAR FORCES (MILITARY); LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT; WESTERN SECURITY (INTERNATIONAL); THREAT EVALUATION
Other titles: NPS-56-90-013.
Description: The decreasing tension between the United States and the Soviet Union obscures a harsh      reality. In a world where the probability of a nuclear exchange between the two superpowers      is at its lowest point since the early 1950s, American nuclear weapons are more vulnerable      than ever to low intensity threats. Some terrorist organizations have become sophisticated      enough to actually steal or destroy a warhead, while the Special Purpose Forces of the      Soviet Union retain the capability to curtail the reliability of American strategic systems from      within the United States or Europe. These two very real threats are derived from the same      factors-the openness of American society, and the enormous difficulty of providing security      for these weapons. Because it is difficult to separate terrorism issues, the analysis of possible      outcomes goes beyond the weapons themselves to include nuclear materials and power      plants. This paper will examine nuclear terrorism within the context of what the US      government has come to call Low Intensity Conflict, or LIC. The SPETZNAZ threat is      considered even though political developments in Europe indicate that the likelihood of such      attacks is decreasing. Indeed, the Soviet Union could be part of the solution rather than the      threat. This may result from a renunciation of terrorist support, and from the recognition that      US-Soviet joint efforts could be the best insurance against nuclear terrorism which threatens      both superpowers-especially as the Soviet Empire unravels.
Notes: Title from cover.

"NPS-56-90-013."

"August 1990."

"Final report for period October 1989 - May 1990."

AD A239 451.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-29).

aq/aq cc:9116 01/27/98