To believe or not to believe
That is the question after reading this Ha’aretz report: Al-Qaida have possessed tactical nuclear weapons for about six years, the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper reported Sunday. The Arabic daily reported that sources close to Al-Qaida said Osama bin Laden’s group bought the nuclear weapons from Ukrainian scientists who were visiting Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 1998. The report ...
That is the question after reading this Ha'aretz report:
That is the question after reading this Ha’aretz report:
Al-Qaida have possessed tactical nuclear weapons for about six years, the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper reported Sunday. The Arabic daily reported that sources close to Al-Qaida said Osama bin Laden’s group bought the nuclear weapons from Ukrainian scientists who were visiting Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 1998. The report has not been confirmed. However, the sources said Al-Qaida doesn’t intend to use the weapons against American forces in Muslim countries, “due to the serious damage” it could cause. But that decision is subject to change, the sources said, if Al-Qaida “is dealt a serious blow that won’t leave it any room to maneuver.” The possibility of detonating the nuclear devices on American soil was also raised in the report, although no details were given.
My first thought is that I find it hard to believe. If Al Qaeda had these weapons for six years, there would have been at least an attempt to detonate one inside the United States. Here’s another thought — maybe, “as the operational power of Al Qaeda appears diminished” according to the New York Times, this is a propaganda effort to rally support among regional terrorist groups? Greg Djerejian has similar thoughts, but with more vivid phrasing.
Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner
More from Foreign Policy
Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.
The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.
Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.
How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
