This module features teaching notes by CFR Senior Fellow Michael A. Levi, author of On Nuclear Terrorism, along with other resources to supplement the text. In this CFR book, Dr. Levi examines one of the greatest national security threats of our time: terrorist groups armed with nuclear weapons, and argues that only a broad-based and multi-layered defense can be effective in confronting it.

Preventing Catastrophic Nuclear Terrorism makes clear what is needed to reduce the possibility of nuclear terrorism. It identifies where efforts have fallen short in securing and eliminating nuclear weapons and weapons-usable nuclear materials, and it offers realistic recommendations to plug these gaps in the U.S. and international response.

Nuclear terrorism and its prevention preoccupy the U.S. military, intelligence community, and diplomatic corps. But experts say the country should be doing more to lessen chances of an attack.

Michael A. Levi and Micah Zenko say nuclear terrorism, however unlikely, is one of the few prospects that could truly devastate the USA, and there are still steps that the U.S. can take to reduce the odds of a catastrophic attack.

Laurie Garrett discusses the mistakes and misjudgments made by government officials in response to the anthrax attacks of 2001 and provides recommendations for what should be done now.

Laurie Garrett discusses the public policy implications of bird flu and bioterrorism.

Laurie Garrett says man-made killer bird flu is now a reality and asks if governments can--and should--try to stop it.

Listen to Michael A. Levi, CFR's fellow for science and technology and director of the program on energy security and climate change, discuss his book, On Nuclear Terrorism.

Listen to Sam Nunn, cochairman and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, reflect on the past sixty years of efforts to prevent nuclear war and discuss strategies to combat today's growing nuclear threats.

A profile of the chemical agent mustard gas.