Leonard Spector: Pakistan, Taliban and Global Security

In an article for YaleGlobal, Leonard Spector of the Ploughshares-funded James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies outlines the danger the Taliban poses to Pakistan's nuclear assets.  Spector shows that access to all the nuclear sites is not necessary to reconstitute a weapon of mass destruction – relatively abundant radioactive material could cause extensive damage.  However, Spector argues, “More troubling than loss of individual nuclear sites … is the possibility that their continued military gains … could enable the militants to topple the country’s civilian government and take charge in Islamabad.” The prospect of pro-Islamist military or intelligence factions seizing power, intensified Taliban attacks, and the “insider threat” at nuclear facilities are among the potential dangers Spector foresees.