Threat to Pakistani nuclear arsenal is real, experts say

The prospect that terrorists could get their hands on nuclear weapons has been worrying non-proliferation analysts for years, and ever since Al Qaeda has stated its intent to acquire such weapons, those worries have increased. Despite official assurances, experts maintain that the threat to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is ongoing and must be taken seriously. "Probably the smallest problem is the anger of theft of an operational nuclear weapon," says Oliver Meier of the Ploughshares-funded Arms Control Association. "What is worrying, though, is that components of nuclear material may be stolen or lost and that could also be used of course for a radiological attack."