Radiological Materials and the Nuclear Security Summit

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In The Media

Radiological Materials and the Nuclear Security Summit

With the second Nuclear Security Summit fast approaching, it is a good moment to reflect on the issue of radiological security.

By Togzhan Kassenova

Published on Dec 21, 2011

Source: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Radiological Materials and the Nuclear Security SuWith the second Nuclear Security Summit fast approaching, it is a good moment to reflect on one of the new issues with which the Seoul summit will attempt to grapple: radiological security. The first Nuclear Security Summit in Washington focused on weapons-usable nuclear materials -- highly enriched uranium and plutonium. The rationale behind a strictly defined agenda was to attract attention to the materials that pose the gravest dangers, as they can be used in a nuclear weapon. The organizers of the second summit, however, have expanded the agenda to include issues pertaining to radioactive materials.

About the Author

Togzhan Kassenova

Former Nonresident Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program

Kassenova was a nonresident fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment.

Recent Work

Commentary
How Kazakhstan Fought Back Against Soviet Nuclear Tests
- Togzhan Kassenova
Report
Perspectives on the Evolving Nuclear Order
- Toby Dalton, Togzhan Kassenova, Lauryn Williams

Nuclear Policy North America United States East Asia North Korea

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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