Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Language Of Nuclear Security: New Case Studies Exploring Online Open-Source Information From Turkey, India, And Jordan, Zenobia S. Homan, Shraddha Rane, Yara Shaban, Fadime Ö. Özkan, Eunha Yun

International Journal of Nuclear Security

This paper presents a novel internet search methodology and new data on the language of nuclear security. Through three case studies (Turkey, India, and Jordan), it describes what openly accessible information exists about nuclear security in a given national context, where more information is needed, and why. In doing so, the paper highlights the importance of documenting the social and geopolitical context of key nuclear concepts. It also examines the role of language and publicly available information on nuclear security and safety to facilitate the articulation and adoption of international best practices.

The case studies demonstrate how someone may acquire …

Gender Undone: Confronting Bias In The Nuclear Field, Sneha Nair, Christina Mcallister, Annina Pluff, Katherine C. Mack

International Journal of Nuclear Security

In the face of evolving security needs, diversity is critical in nonproliferation, nuclear security, and other related fields. Despite multiple studies highlighting the need for gender balance and diversity in the nuclear nonproliferation and security space and targeted recruitment and capacity-building efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency and states, gains in the representation of women (as well as historically underrepresented groups) have been set back by the gendered effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and slow cultural change at nuclear facilities and organizations. This issue is in large part due to the inability of initiatives aimed at diversity, equity, inclusion, …

Serving American Veterans: A Review And Analysis Of Gaps In Service In The Needs Of Veterans, Mary Elisabeth Germann

Baker Scholar Projects

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is the agency of the federal government that is responsible for providing benefits, health care, and cemetery services to US military Veterans and their families. About a quarter of the nation’s population, approximately 70 million people, are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members, or survivors of veterans. Due to this expansive demand, the United States has developed the most comprehensive system of Veterans assistance programs in the World. But many argue that the US VA still falls short of expectations and fails to fulfill the needs …

The Eagle’S Eye On The Rising Dragon: Why The United States Has Shifted Its View Of China, Jackson Scott

Baker Scholar Projects

Since 1978, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has long been viewed as an economic trading partner of the United States of America (US). The PRC has grown to be an economic powerhouse, and the US directly helped with that process and still benefits from it. However, during the mid-2010’s, US rhetoric began to turn sour against the PRC. The American government rhetoric toward the PRC, beginning with the Obama administration, switched. As Trump’s administration came along, they bolstered this rhetoric from non-friendly to more or less hostile. Then, Biden’s administration strengthened Trump’s rhetoric. Over the past ten years or …

The Eagle’S Eye On The Rising Dragon: Why The United States Has Shifted Its View Of China, Jackson Craig Scott

Baker Scholar Projects

Since 1978, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has long been viewed as an economic trading partner of the United States of America (US). The PRC has grown to be an economic powerhouse, and the US directly helped with that process and still benefits from it. However, during the mid-2010’s, US rhetoric began to turn sour against the PRC. The American government rhetoric toward the PRC, beginning with the Obama administration, switched. As Trump’s administration came along, they bolstered this rhetoric from non-friendly to more or less hostile. Then, Biden’s administration strengthened Trump’s rhetoric. Over the past ten years or …

Threat Of Nuclear Terrorism: The Developing Nuclear Security Regime, Muhammed Ali Alkış

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Terrorism has always been a part of human history in various forms. However, it had not been such a clear and present danger until the 9/11 attacks. After the 9/11 attacks, terrorism evolved into a new kind of terrorism only aiming to change a system with sensational attacks that cause so many deaths. Today, it poses a threat in the form of nuclear terrorism. Its potential rate of lethality could not be compared with any other forms of terrorism if terrorists managed to detonate an intact nuclear weapon or an improvised nuclear device. In addition, the psychological effects of sabotaging …

Gift Baskets For South Asia: Nuclear Risk Reduction And Crisis Management, Amber Jamil, Megan Goyette

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Gift Basket diplomacy is an interest-based approach to negotiation that encourages voluntary commitments as incentives for cooperation. International diplomats used this approach during the Nuclear Security Summits (NSS), and it is the new standard for international cooperation. This model was successfully replicated in climate talks and led to a global effort to combat climate change. The use of house presents, and gift baskets encourages leadership and team building, to excel beyond intractable consensus-based stalemates. The Gift Basket Diplomacy model may reduce South Asia’s nuclear risk and enhance crisis management by increasing diplomatic efforts during regional party talks and cooperative engagements, …

Coordination Of Inter-Agency Action For Nuclear Security In Uganda, Richard Sseggane

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Despite the dynamic threats to the nuclear security of the East and Central African region, and the decision of the Government of Uganda to embark on a nuclear power programme, there was not much put in place as a coordination and cooperation mechanisms among the stakeholders in the nuclear security activities.

This work confirmed the need in Uganda for the major nuclear security stakeholder agencies with roles and mandates for nuclear security including the regulator, security and intelligence agencies, police, border control, transport control, customs agencies and others to work together as necessary in the different nuclear security activities in …

Challenges And Opportunities For Sharing Threat Information With Radioactive Materials Operators, Raphael Duguay

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Operators are required to implement security measures to address requirements set by the regulatory body or competent authority. These security requirements are generally based on the national threat level and information provided by the relevant law enforcement authority, intelligence agencies and other relevant stakeholders. However, not all States can share this information with radioactive materials holders (e.g., operators), especially if they take a more prescriptive approach to regulation on security. The same situation often exists when a performance-based approach is used because there are multiple barriers that restrict the competent authority from sharing threat information. For example, competent authorities need …

Recommended Corrective Security Measures To Address The Weaknesses Identified Within The Shapash Nuclear Research Institute, Khadija Moussaid, Oum Keltoum Hakam

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The Shapash Nuclear Research Institute (SNRI) data book was issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2013. The hypothetical facility data book describes the hypothetical site, which is divided into two areas: the low-security area, known as the administrative area, and the very high-security area, known as the protected area. The book contains detailed descriptions of each area’s safety and security measures, along with figures of multiple buildings in both areas, and also includes information about the site’s computer networks.

This paper aims to identify security weaknesses related to the institute’s location, the Administrative Area (AA), the Protected …

Conducting Nuclear Security Culture Self-Assessments In Nuclear Research Facilities Using The Iaea Methodology, Anhar Riza Antariksawan, Khairul Khairul, Heru Umbara, Endang Kristuti, Bayu Purnomo

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN) has promoted the culture and assessment of nuclear security in Indonesia since 2010. After conducting a successful trial assessment in 2012, BATAN performed a second self-assessment in 2015 in three nuclear facilities. The assessment's methodology followed the guidelines set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the techniques used in applying the IAEA methodology and to discuss the primary outcomes of the assessment. The data collection consisted of surveys, interviews, document reviews, and observations. A total of about 50% of the three facilities’ employees …

Developing Kenya’S Educational Capacity In Nuclear Security Through Nuclear Forensics Research, Hudson Kalambuka Angeyo

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Nuclear energy’s distinctive characteristics give rise to special educational requirements. These requirements are necessary to not only address the danger of nuclear proliferation, but also to build capacity for a secure nuclear fuel circle. In this paper, I assess the status of educational capacity in nuclear security both in response to, and in support of, Kenya’s nuclear power program. I highlight the nuclear security educational infrastructure’s key features in the context of nuclear power, noting the low capacity at Kenyan universities. I identify the steps required to ensure that the country’s dynamic nuclear regulatory infrastructural framework is used effectively to …

The "Double Standard" Of Nonproliferation: Regime Type And The U.S. Response To Nuclear Weapons Program, Alina Shymanska

International Journal of Nuclear Security

There is no doubt that the NPT regime is far from being equal for all states involved. As the predominant hegemonic power since WWII, the United States plays a major role in deciding the fates of non-great power proliferators. This article tries to find the logical explanation of the phenomenon whereby some nuclear proliferators are absolved regardless of their active accumulation of nuclear arsenals while others are labeled as “rogue states” and ordered to disarm. The article suggests that a particular proliferator’s political regime could affect the way in which its state is approached by the U.S., known for its …

The Future Of Nuclear Security: A Medical Physicist’S Perspective, Katharine E. Thomson

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Planning for the future of nuclear security is a vital and complex task, requiring cooperation and contribution from many disciplines and industries. This diversity of expertise should include the medical sector, which faces many of the same challenges as the nuclear industry: controlling access to dangerous material, creating a strong security culture, cooperating with the wider world and engaging the public.

Medical physicists, of which the author is one, oversee all aspects of small-scale radiation use. This paper discusses three key areas increasingly important to both medical and nuclear uses of radioactive materials: public engagement, prevention of nuclear and radiological …

Assessing And Enhancing Nuclear Safety And Security Culture For Small Facilities That Handle Radioactive Material, Solymosi Máté

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The use of radioactive sources is expanding all over the world and abreast the necessity of the enhancement of its safe and secure application is increasing too. In the nuclear industry, the safety and security are top priorities since decades. They share the same goal, to protect humans from the negative affect of the ionizing radiation. The human component of them is a significant factor and technical solutions can protect us so far and thus the culture for safety and security become a major focus. On the other hand, there are still some contradiction between recommendations and international guidance of …

The Future Of Nuclear Security In Moroccan Territory After The Creation Of The New Moroccan Agency Of Nuclear And Radiological Safety And Security: Opportunities And Challenges, Amal Touarsi, Amina Kharchaf

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Nowadays, a security regime for protecting nuclear and radiological material—providing an intelligent national regulatory institution and establishing national security laws—is necessary in order for a state to ensure security of nuclear and radiological materials used within its borders.

This paper focuses on discussing the opportunities and challenges facing the future of nuclear security after the creation of the new Moroccan Agency of Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security.

Solar System Battery Backups For Reactor Coolant Pumps During Electricity Outages Resulting From Natural Disasters, Md. Shamsul Huda Sohel

International Journal of Nuclear Security

In a nuclear power plant, its coolant system is major safety equipment. Coolant system failure causes several accidents in nuclear history. There are so many causes for coolant system failure. One of them is lack of electric power for coolant pumps. In typically NPP there is backup system for power redundancy. In this article, focus on reactor coolant system and its backup power when main grid lines failure. Here discuss about solar backup power for batteries and increases a safety lines for reactor coolant pumps. So, our main goal is providing a battery backup from reliable natural source and ensuring …

Toward A Non-Nuclear World: The Npt Regime – Nuclear Disarmament And The Challenge Of A Wmdfz In The Middle East, Sameh Aboul-Enein

International Journal of Nuclear Security

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of various approaches for nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation with the intention of determining how best to promote a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East (MEWMDFZ). Using a qualitative approach, I investigate historical cases of agreements regarding nonproliferation zones and examine the causes for deadlock through both a perusal of historic successes and failures and a review of relevant literature. Particular focus is given to the failure of the NPT Review Conference of 2015. Furthermore, I discuss the importance of role-play simulations and their indications of the need for …

Development Of Nuclear Underground Engineered Test Surrogates For Technical Nuclear Forensics Exploitation, Robert Boone Gilbreath

Masters Theses

A method for formulation and production of Nuclear UnderGround Engineered Test Surrogates (NUGETS) based on notional improvised nuclear device (IND) detonations in an underground environment analogous to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) is presented. Extensive statistical analyses of precursory geochemical and geophysical characteristics are combined with an augmented surrogate debris cooling technique and predictive IND contributions from the ORIGEN Fallout Analysis Tool. Precursory and resultant elemental compositions, cooling curve calculations, and visual comparison of NUGETS to genuine underground debris are reported. Application of NUGETS methodology to future studies in urban, underground post-detonation technical nuclear forensic (TNF) analysis is suggested.

Mass Surveillance And Terrorism: Does Prism Keep Americans Safer?, Tayler Houston

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

International Journal of Nuclear Security

No abstract provided.

Nuclear Power: Black Sky Liability Or Black Sky Asset?, Sherrell R. Greene

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Ready access to abundant electricity is a key enabler of modern life. During the past decade the vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure sectors in the U.S. to a variety of natural hazards and man-made threats has become increasingly apparent. The electrical infrastructure (the “Grid”) is the foundation for all other critical civil infrastructures upon which our society depends. Therefore, protection of the Grid is an energy security, homeland security, and national security issue of highest importance. Geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) induced by solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs), electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, and cyber attacks are three events having the potential to plunge …

Student Competition Cover

International Journal of Nuclear Security

No abstract provided.

Improving Nuclear Safety, Security, And Nonproliferation In Northeast Asia Through Multinational Approach, Viet Phuong Nguyen

International Journal of Nuclear Security

No abstract provided.

Prospects For Cooperation On Tackling Nuclear And Radiological Terrorism In South Asia: India–Pakistan Nuclear Detection Architecture, Muhammad Umer Khan

International Journal of Nuclear Security

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The 1995 Middle East Resolution: A Vital Lifeline To The Extension And Success Of The Non-Proliferation Treaty, Haidy Y. Ghoname, Howard Lewis Hall

International Journal of Nuclear Security

This study highlights the core non-proliferation dilemmas we face and suggests an effective mechanism for reviving the spirit and the hope of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. An indispensable key to the treaty calls for a rethinking of what we believe should be referred to as its four pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and implementation of the 1995 Middle East Resolution. We seek to contribute to the renaissance of the non-proliferation regime by addressing seven dilemmas that arise from the way various Non-Proliferation Treaty participants pursue the goals of the four pillars undergirding the treaty. This study highlights …

Modern Advancements In Post-Detonation Nuclear Forensic Analysis, S. Adam Stratz, Jonathan A. Gill, John D. Auxier Ii, Howard L. Hall

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Deterring nuclear terrorism is a critical national asset to support the preclusion of non-state actors from initiating a nuclear attack on the United States. Successful attribution of a detonated nuclear weapon allows for timely responsive measures that prove essential in the period following a nuclear event. In conjunction with intelligence and law enforcement evidence, the technical nuclear forensics (TNF) post-detonation community supports this mission through the development and advancement of expertise to characterize weapon debris through a rapid, accurate, and detailed approach. Though the TNF field is young, numerous strides have been made in recent years toward a more robust …

Evaluation Of Covert Plutonium Production From Unconventional Uranium Sources, Ondrej Chvala, Steven Skutnik, Tyrone Christopher Harris, Emily Anne Frame

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The potential for a relatively non-advanced nation to covertly acquire a significant quantity of weapons-grade plutonium using a gas-cooled, natural uranium-fueled reactor based on relatively primitive early published designed is evaluated in this article. The economic and technical issues that would influence the design decisions of a covert ²³⁹Pu production program are considered.

Several unconventional uranium acquisition approaches were explored. Methods for extracting uranium from enrichment tails, seawater, and coal ash sources were considered. The evaluation indicated that uranium extraction from coal ash or insitu leaching from underground deposits could be performed in economical manner that might be difficult …

Janus Realized: The Use Of Social Media As A Means Of Transparency Nuclear Communication To The Public, Frances Bachstein

International Journal of Nuclear Security

No abstract provided.

Addressing The Tunnel Threat At Nuclear Facilities: A Case Study, Md. Mobasher Ahmed

International Journal of Nuclear Security

No abstract provided.