nuclear terrorism

Radiological attack plot

Nuclear terrorism is the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons or radioactive materials by non-state actors to cause mass casualties, destruction, or widespread fear.

This includes detonating a nuclear device, attacking nuclear facilities, or dispersing radioactive material through a "dirty bomb." The term appears frequently in security policy discussions: preventing nuclear terrorism requires international cooperation.

Opposites
scale and method of violence

nuclear terrorismconventional warfare

Armed conflict using standard military forces

knife attack · guerrilla warfare · petty crime · vandalism · cyberterrorism

legitimacy and actor type

nuclear terrorismUN peacekeeping

Multinational troops maintaining ceasefires

national defense · conventional warfare · nuclear deterrence · declared war · police action

intent and outcome

nuclear terrorismnuclear disarmament

Reducing atomic weapon stockpiles

denuclearization · nuclear nonproliferation · nuclear security · counterterrorism · arms control

Family

nuclear, terrorism, terror, terrorist, terrorize, terrorized, terrorizing, terrorization, terrorists

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13