USG and International Coordination to Counter Nuclear Smuggling

USG AND INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO COUNTER NUCLEAR SMUGGLING

INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION

NSDD plays a key role within the USG supporting the development of counter nuclear smuggling programs and policy. Specifically, NSDD works with complementary programs at the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and the FBI to share information, coordinate projects, and leverage strengths and resources to maximize each agency’s efforts.

NSDD partnered with the FBI WMD Directorate to develop and deliver a course for law enforcement use of NSDD provided mobile detection equipment. This course, called the Radiation Detection and Investigative Techniques training (RDIT) teaches law enforcement operators of NSDD provided equipment on how to use it in the course of investigations of criminal activity involving R/N material. NSDD’s partnership with the FBI is a truly complementary one. It combines the technological and scientific expertise resident within NSDD with the law enforcement and criminal investigation expertise held by the FBI.

NSDD is a frequent collaborator with the Department of State, specifically its Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. NSDD coordinates ISN’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program on implementing radiation detection solutions in countries in which both programs work. NSDD supports ISN’s office of Weapons of Mass Destruction -Terrorism (WMD-T) and their Joint Action Plans with partner countries. Many of the goals and objectives contained within the Joint Action Plans directly stem from NSDD programmatic goals to develop a partner country’s national radiation detection architecture. NSDD supports the implementation of the Joint Action Plans and regularly participates in the Joint Action Plan review process.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is a frequent collaborator with NSDD in a variety of different areas. NSDD has collaborated with DTRA on areas such as joint trainings, joint installations, and most recently in joint projects focused on enhancing green border security.

Lastly, scientists and laboratory experts have had extensive cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), now the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office on scientific testing of radiation detection equipment.

NSDD IN THE GLOBAL CNS COMMUNITY

NSDD’s technical expertise and experience make it a leader in global efforts to combat nuclear terrorism. Internationally, NSDD continues to develop and maintain long-term bilateral relationships with countries to strengthen their capabilities to prevent, detect, and investigate incidents of R/N material smuggling. NSDD also works to bring representatives from different countries together to facilitate regional relationships and improve communication and information sharing. In addition, NSDD works with international organizations with similar missions to act as force multipliers and provide consistent guidance and best practices to the global counter nuclear smuggling community.

NSDD regularly collaborates and coordinates with other national governments on strengthening the nuclear detection architecture on both a bilateral basis and through coordinating bodies such as the Border Monitoring Working Group and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. As a best in class international implementer of R/N detection systems, NSDD receives contributions from countries under the Global Partnership. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Finland, South Korea, Canada, and Norway and the European Commission have provided both financial and in-kind contributions to deploy detection systems and deliver best practices in detection and nuclear forensics to third countries.

NSDD additionally supports international institutions engaged in countering the radiological and nuclear smuggling threat. NSDD has a long standing collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). NSDD provides technical and subject matter expertise to many IAEA consultancies on a wide array of topics. NSDD provides in-kind support to IAEA INSSP and INSServ missions and NSDD funds several cost-free experts who work directly for the IAEA.

NSDD subject matter experts support the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Global Shield program, aimed at preventing the smuggling and illicit diversion of precursor chemicals that could be used in improvised explosive devices and dirty bombs, and engage with WCO during their regular meetings and consultancies. NSDD supports INTERPOL and its Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit, the RNTPU. NSDD funds INTERPOL through direct donation as well as seconding an officer to the RNTPU. NSDD’s direct donation funds INTERPOL workshops, training, and operations to improve law enforcement and border security investigation and response capabilities. The NSDD donation to INTERPOL additionally supports the Geiger Database, used by INTERPOL to track the people involved in R/N smuggling activities.