ARTICLE CRITIQUE

Article Critique on Journal Article:

"Deterring the Smuggling of Nuclear Weapons in Container Freight through Detection and Retaliation”

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Hypothesis5

Discussion6

Past Study6

Literature review6

Bier and Haphuriwat Model6

Practical implications9

Method of Data Collection11

Strengths11

Limitations12

Incorrect Parameter Values12

Credible Retaliation13

Terrorist acts irrationally13

Different Ways of Attack13

Extension of the Model14

Conclusion14

End Notes15

Article Critique on Journal Article:

"Deterring the Smuggling of Nuclear Weapons in Container Freight through Detection and retaliation”

Introduction

Naraphorn Haphuriwat, Pathumthani, Vicki M. Bier and Henry H. Willis wrote the article “Deterring the Smuggling of Nuclear Weapons in Container Freight through Detection and Retaliation”. They boast a past experience of publishing works regarding smuggling in 2009. More and more researches are being conducted in order to improve the efficiency and productivity of the ports especially in the U.S. A variety of ways and methods are being explored to enhance the detecting capabilities on one of largest ports of the world.

The concern regarding the protection of USA from terrorist attacks began from 11 September 2001. Nowadays, there is a major concern about the smuggling of nuclear weapons in the U.S through shipping containers. The purpose of writing this article is to find out the means by which nuclear weapons can be successfully prevented from being smuggled in the US via the sea.

There are a variety of technologies that can be used to deter or stop the terrorists or to inspect the incoming containers and still there is a constant rise for the need of inspection equipments on ports and docks. In majority of the ports worldwide, the latest technology which is being used for screening containers is polyvinyl toluene (PVT). However, PVT has a very limited capability of scanning radioactive materials in the containers. In the United States, advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs) is the most advanced screening technology that is used for searching the containers and detecting nuclear weapons. Since ASPs have ability to detect sodium iodide; these detectors make it easy to detect a variety of different radio sources.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection there are seven sea ports that scan the U.S maritime cargo to ensure safety, security and deter the smuggling of dangerous items in the country. These ports use the most updated technological equipment to detect nuclear weapons. ASP is used as secondary inspection technology at ports of UK, Sri Lanka, Philippines and many other countries of the world. The American ports are doing further research on this technology in order to reduce its cost and increase its' benefits.

One of the biggest concerns regarding Security is the cost of the measures that are set in place when it comes to container security. It is not an easy task to provide full security and scanning of the containers while be cost effective at the same time. The technologies employed for the detection purposes are extremely costly. Another problem which arises in the zone is that it is not possible for each port to have equally efficient detection technologies due to circumstance and majorly the financial constraints. Since it is clear that which port would the terrorists chose to ...