Customer Reviews

Nuclear Insecurity: Understanding the Threat from Rogue Nations and Terrorists (Praeger Security International)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book offers a combination of personal experiences and case studies related to nuclear and radiological proliferation. The insights that Jack Caravelli provides of the interactions, harmonious and acrimonious, of the various US agencies tasked with non-proliferation duties, illustrate how critical both personal and professional relationships are to progress. The description of the oversight of the US Department of Energy, by the Government Accountability Office, shows how carefully arranged mechanisms can be thwarted by obstruction and ineptitude. The two case studies address Pakistan and Iran, and are detailed and timely. They afford an historic overview and cover contemporary developments up to the point of publication. In addition, the case study of the critical international confrontation with Iran includes suggested solutions to ending the nuclear threat. This book is a useful addition to the literature on the risk of all forms of nuclear proliferation. It should be read by interested parties in both the US and Europe.

Dr. Caravelli is most certainly an expert in understanding the seriousness and complexity of the nuclear threat we face. His candid and forthright style further increases the book's credibility. The structure and flow of the book allow the reader to fully grasp the overall severity of the situation while understanding the multifaceted contributing elements. It is also eminently readable.

Notably the book goes beyond filling the need to understand the events that lead us to today's threats in its many dimensions. It sets the context of the critical challenges to contain and control nuclear stockpiles and nuclear proliferation and offers a realistic multistep solution to best mitigate the nuclear threat. This book is certainly an eye opener.

The author's expertise offers a clear understanding of the history and challenges facing the United States, as well as the world, in this age of "nuclear insecurity". His experience in the CIA, National Security Agency and Department of Energy certainly enables him to provide in-depth and comprehensive insights into this most pressing problem. More heed needs to be paid to both the analysis and insights presented.

As a current US Government employee, it's uplifting to see how Caravelli and other dedicated senior managers could navigate the bureaucratic barriers to "do the right thing". The chapters unfold to tell the story of forging policies to meet the nuclear insecurity challenges in the face of shortsighted decisions and managerial incompetence that are so often counterproductive to long-term solutions.

The book carries lessons that are clearly contemporary as inadequate control and the lack of effective security of nuclear materials compound the real and actual dangers of nuclear proliferation today. I recommend this book to those concerned with one of the greatest enduring threats to America, as well as Western civilization.

From a current US Government employee.

A thoughtful and well-researched effort, Dr. Caravelli presents an insider's view of the nonproliferation issues we currently face. Drawing on his years of service at the highlest levels of government, he paints a disturbing picture of what the future may hold. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in homeland security, counter-terrorism, and world politics.