While the threat of a nuclear war may appear to have diminished with the end of the Cold War, the likelihood of a catastrophic event involving nuclear weaponry has greatly increased.
Saga Foundatiison a non- partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and creating models for action
to increase nuclear safety
and security.
Q: How much highly enriched uranium is necessary to build a simple nuclear bomb?
A: To build a simple portable weapon, only
15 to 55 pounds of highly enriched uranium
is needed. 15 pounds of highly enriched
uranium would fit into a coffee cup.
See: ABC Investigative Unit 10/6/05, The
ABC News Nuclear Smuggling Experiment
9/02.
“…in describing a nuclear terrorist attack it is...the ultimate depressing thing. It will happen. It's inevitable. I don't see any way that it won't happen.”
Warren Buffett,
Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway
As a nation we need to come to GRIPS with
why nuclear terror would be the worst disaster
conceivable.
Saga Foundation envisions a world free from the catastrophic
effects of the use of nuclear weapons.
SAGA Updates
Report says lack of focus on threat of nuclear terrorism stems from failure
to grasp global economic consequences of a nuclear terrorist attack.
Nuclear terrorism, a stated top concern of both major-party presidential candidates, is
garnering little attention as an issue because of a failure to focus on the global economic
consequences of such an attack, according to a new report by the Saga Foundation released
today. The report, Nuclear Terrorism: Local Effects, Global Consequences, contends that a
nuclear terrorist attack is the most serious threat to the U.S. homeland and the most likely
nuclear attack scenario the nation faces. While the destructive effects of nuclear weapons
have been studied in detail, the economic aftershocks likely to follow such an attack have
received scant attention.
Report: "Nuclear Terrorism: Local Effects, Global Consequences" (PDF)
(Executive Summary)
Report: "Nuclear Terrorism: Local Effects, Global Consequences" (PDF)
(Full Text)
Additional information to the report:
Findings of the survey "The Language of Nuclear Terrorism" (PDF)
Natasha Levitan wins the Saga Challenge
In February 2008, Saga Foundation conducted a short film contest “Saga Challenge.” The contest received entries from around the world. The competition succeeded in its goal of tapping into the creativity of the short film maker and bringing a fresh vision to the issue of nuclear terrorism and nuclear disarmament. The winner of the Saga Challenge is Ms. Natasha Levitan with her entry "The Nuclear Age."
To view the video:
Are you smarter than a terrorist?
Click the YouTube link below for our new and improved
Nuclear IQ video:
Saga - PSA National TV ad
Presidential Election 2008: This collaborative effort between the Saga
Foundation and Partnership for a Secure America will hit the airwaves
between Super Bowl Sunday and Super Tuesday. "While we browse
shop windows for the perfect item, others browse vulnerable nuclear facilities."
View the entire Ad:
Survey Reveals Nuclear Terrorism is America’s Top Fear
On January 2, 2008 Saga Foundation in collaboration with Luntz, Maslansky Group released the findings of the survey “The Language
of Nuclear Terrorism”. According to the survey, conducted in the fall
of 2007, “a successful attack on U.S. soil is America’s worst fear.” Moreover, 49% of the respondents believe that a terrorist attack is likely to include some sort of a nuclear device. With unsecured nuclear materials and nuclear proliferation remaining a world-wide concern,
Saga believes an entrepreneurial approach with new models for action can bridge the gap between what needs to be done and what has been accomplished thus far regarding nuclear safety and security.
The survey “The Language of Nuclear Terrorism” is a critical part of the Saga Foundation project with Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research. In the fall of 2007, Saga Foundation contracted with Frank Luntz of Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research to identify a nonpartisan approach that could help shape the way the issue of nuclear nonproliferation is addressed by our leaders and the media. Saga Foundation’s decision to develop the project with Frank Luntz will result in national television and media exposure – helping the foundation to inform, motivate and engage the world about the dangers posed by nuclear terrorism.
Saga Foundation Press Release
Survey “The Language of Nuclear Terrorism”