Recent and upcoming nonproliferation activities, events, and announcements involving the CNS center, staff, and programs.

Updated: Sep 29, 2010

Organized Crime and the Trafficking of Radiological Materials: The Case of Georgia

A presentation by Nonproliferation Review author Alexander Kupatadze, George Washington University with commentary by Elena Sokova, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

On September 28, 2010, The Nonproliferation Review hosted a breakfast briefing at the Washington, D.C. office of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, to discuss an article appearing in the July 2010 issue.

Based on unique empirical data—including interviews with smugglers of radiological materials and the investigators who track them—Kupatadze will discuss nuclear smuggling trends in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. Contrary to popular perceptions, smuggling in Georgia mainly involves opportunist smugglers and amateurs, as opposed to professional criminals and terrorists; however, this does not mean that radiological smuggling is devoid of professionalism or organization. Kupatadze demonstrates that professional criminals are rarely involved in smuggling due to the unreliable nature of the market for radiological materials and the threat radiological smuggling could pose to professional criminals' ability to wield political power and operate legal commercial enterprises.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010
9:00 am - 10:30 pm
The George Washington University
Elliott School of International Affairs
Lindner Family Commons
Sixth Floor
1957 E Street NW, Washington, DC