Harvard researcher warns ISIS may be on the brink of using nuclear weapons

The possibility of a nuclear-armed ISIS may not be as far-off as many experts suggest, a Harvard researcher has warned.

In a recent report for Project on Managing the Atom from Harvard’s Belfer Center, Matthew Bunn explains how the threat of nuclear terrorism is rising as extremist groups continue to evolve.

While there has not been any concrete indication that ISIS is pursuing nuclear materials, the researcher says that the actions and rhetoric of the group suggest its need for such powerful weapons.

In recent years, there have been numerous occasions of suspicious events relating to nuclear facilities in Belgium, Defense One points out.

While it would be difficult to ISIS or other terror groups to obtain the knowledge of security features and access nuclear materials, Bunn explains that the evidence of such intentions are growing.

The report precedes the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, which will take place between March 31 and April 1.

According to the authors, the summit will help to determine the feasibility of terrorist groups getting their hands on nuclear materials.

The threats come from the possibility of three types of nuclear or radiological terrorism, the authors write: detonation of an actual nuclear bomb, sabotage of a nuclear facility, or use of a ‘dirty bomb’ to spread radioactive material.

Each of these comes at a different level of risk, and the authors focus for the most part on the potential danger from the use of an actual nuclear bomb, as these results would be ‘most catastrophic.’

Source: Daily Mail