Homeland Security: Nuclear Bombs and Terrorism Attack Preparedness (Essay Sample)

Nuclear Bombs and Terrorism Attack Preparedness
Name
Institutional affiliation
Nuclear bombs and terrorism attacks
Introduction
CBRN events have been a number of times around the world. The events may be accidental, natural, or terrorist acts. In this work, the terrorist types of CBRN events are looked at. Many terrorist attacks have occurred in many courtiers and some of the weapons used are usually of the CBRN type. These attacks usually cause a lot of damage to the environment and many lives are usually lost. With security training, agents and strategies advancing across the world due to improvement in technology, there is always these security agents can prevent a way such attacks. Terrorism is a threat to every country in the world and that is why every country has its own ways of dealing with it and trying to prevent it. There are a number of CBRN gents that may be used in such an attack including chemical, radiological, biological, or even nuclear. Though these agents are useful in many different ways, their effects are adverse when used in the wrong way (Bodansky, 2004).
Selected CBRN agent background
Nuclear energy is a type energy that is found in the core (nucleus) of the atom. Atoms are known to be the building blocks of and form of matter. These atoms usually have bonds that connect them to each other and the bonds contain enormous amounts of energy. The nuclear energy can be used in the making of electricity but the energy has to be released first. The nuclear energy can be released from the atoms in two different ways, which are nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. When nuclear fusion occurs, the energy in the atoms is released through the combination or fusion of the atoms to form a large atom. Nuclear fusion is the process by which the sun produces its energy. The process of nuclear fission involves the splitting of atoms to form other smaller atoms. Those nuclear power plants that produce electricity use this method (Murray, & Holbert, 2015).
There are nuclear reactions that usually occur in the nucleus. The reaction process usually takes place when changes occur in the nucleus of the atom thus causing a change in the atom. When normal reactions e.g. chemical reactions occur, molecules are created. This is not the same for nuclear reactions. When they occur, nuclear reactions cause a transmutation on the specific element turning it into an isotope that is different or a completely new element that is different from the original. Two types of nuclear reactions exist. The first one is where a radioactive decay of the bonds that exist in the nucleus takes place leading to emitting of radiation as the decay occurs or as the atom transforms into a version that is more stable. The other type of reaction is one that occurs when a nuclear particle e.g. a proton or the nucleus slams into another nuclear particle or nucleus (Murray, & Holbert, 2015).
There are different types of mass destruction weapons that can be created from the nuclear energy. Many weapons are built to have the second type of reaction that is mentioned above. These weapons are usually introduced into the environment and mostly accompanied by large explosions in a way that cause the killing or injury of very many people. The casualties that are usually reported range from tens of people to tens of thousands or even more. The terrorist groups usually create different types of weapons from the nuclear energy, which include nuclear bombs that are usually smuggled in to the targeted area. They are either stolen bombs that were originally owned by the state or those that were made by specialized members of the terror group. Other ways in which nuclear energy can be used as a weapon, is when the terror group carries out an attack on a nuclear plant, which includes the reactors at the plant, or the fuel used at the reactor sites.
The magnitude of damage because of the detonation a nuclear bomb is unimaginable. The bomb may be smuggled into a country either when it is intact or in pieces. The terrorists may choose to assemble it at the targeted area or set it up when already assembled. The threat is so big that an explosion of the 10-kt magnitude would create a destruction circle of diameter that covers up to two miles. Even a small nuclear bomb of 1-kt from an attack that was not properly executed can cause a destruction circle of up to one-mile diameter. The destruction caused by such bombs will highly depend on the bombs size and the location that is targeted. It also depends on the fraction of material that has been used in the fission of the bomb. An example that could give the measure of destruction that can be caused by a nuclear bomb is that of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima attacks in which more than one hundred thousand were reported to have lost their lives.
Proposed terrorist scenario
If I was a terrorist and wanted to use a nuclear weapon to cause destruction, I would first asses my target to see how my weapon would get in. I would look for ways in which to get into the targeted area without raising any suspicion. This would be done some time before the actual attack occurs to maximize the chances of success. My ways of getting into the targeted area would be through employment or being a supplier of goods or services needed at the place. My conduct would be carried out in such a way that no one has any negative thoughts about me. I would opt to carry the device piece by piece to the place other than the whole of it when assemble. This would help in lowering suspicion and ease of transportation.
Assembly of the device would take place after all the pieces are available and I would make sure that my weapon is that which can be detonated from far maybe by use of a timer or a detonation device. A day before the attack I would make sure that my device is ready and that no one has any suspicion especially the security personnel. On the day of the attack, I would absent myself from work to effectively carry out the plan. After the attack, I would clear out of my house anything that can implicate me to having cause the explosion and then leave the country or state to start a new life somewhere else.
Strategies for prevention
Every institution is at a risk of a terrorist attack. It may be by the use of a nuclear bomb or other devices of mass destruction. All organizations need to have security measures to prevent attacks or a reaction and emergency plan in case an attack occurs. Such measures include a detailed background or knowledge on all employees. This is done before the company takes up a person. ...