Laka Foundation

Publication Laka-library:
Al Qaeda’s nuclear program. Through the eyes of seized documents (2002)

AuthorD.Albright
6-02-0-21-02.pdf
DateNovember 2002
Classification 6.02.0.21/02 (NUCLEAR TERRORISM - SELFMADE BOMBS & RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION - AL QAEDA & OSAMA BIN LADEN)
Front

From the publication:

http://www.nautilus.org/archives/fora/Special-Policy-Forum/47_Albright.html#sect2

                                          Policy Forum Online
                                  Special Forum 47: November 6, 2002


Al Qaeda's Nuclear Program: Through the Window of Seized Documents
                                            By David Albright

I. Introduction
This essay by David Albright - a physicist, and the President of the Institute for Science and
International Security in Washington, D.C. - examines Al-Qaeda's efforts towards acquiring
weapons of mass destruction. He argues that al-Qaeda developed "only limited technological
capabilities in Afghanistan to produce WMD." However, he writes, "if al Qaeda had remained in
Afghanistan, it would have likely acquired nuclear weapons eventually."
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official
policy or position of the Nautilus Institute. Readers should note that Nautilus seeks a diversity of
views and opinions on contentious topics in order to identify common ground.

II. Essay By David Albright
Al Qaeda's Nuclear Program: Through the Window of Seized Documents
By David Albright
Following the fall of the Taliban government in late 2001, intelligence agencies and the media
scrambled to find documents and other information about al Qaeda and its next potential targets. A
priority was uncovering information about al Qaeda's progress on acquiring weapons of mass
destruction (WMD), including nuclear weapons.
Al Qaeda views the acquisition of WMD as a religious obligation. However, it could develop only
limited technological capabilities in Afghanistan to produce WMD, and few believe al Qaeda
obtained nuclear weapons while it was entrenched there. On the other hand, al Qaeda's
determination to get nuclear weapons along with its increased ability to obtain outside technical
assistance, lead to the conclusion that if al Qaeda had remained in Afghanistan, it would have likely
acquired nuc