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The Need for a Closer Examination of National Security
Guest Column | By Paul M. Weyrich | June 25, 2008
It now has been
four years since Dr. William Graham, Science Advisor to President Ronald W.
Reagan and Chairman of the
General Advisory Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament,
and a distinguished panel completed a study of High Altitude Electromagnetic
Pulse (EMP) and its potential effects upon this country. The conclusions of this
study are the most frightening I have seen concerning modern-day threats. Few
have heard of it because the report has yet to be made public. The reason it has
not been made public is simple: if EMP were understood by the American people,
the next logical question would be what steps the government has taken to reduce
the possibility of an EMP attack in this country. To date little has been done.
When the American people realize as much, the outrage will be
palpable.
EMP is electromagnetic
radiation from an explosion (especially a nuclear explosion). The worst of the
pulse lasts for only a second but any unprotected electrical equipment — and
anything connected to electrical cables, which act as giant lightning rods or
antennas — are affected by it.
If a nation
with a nuclear bomb and the ability to explode it high above an American city
were to do so, it would have a massive effect in all directions. Almost
immediately all communications systems in the country would be disrupted
completely. No radio. No television. No internet. Indeed no electricity at all.
Most of the country literally would be in the dark with no possibility of
recovering any electrical facilities. We would not be able to run our cars
because the gasoline pumps would not work. Water distribution systems would not
work. While there would be few immediate deaths connected with such an
explosion, the long-term consequences would be profound. The national power grid
would be rendered completely impotent. It would take many months or even years
to have it up and running but with no power tools available, accomplishing this
likely would be impossible.
There would be
no telecommunications. Railroads would be unable to run. Even if the few steam
locomotives left were employed, there would be no signal systems and no ability
to switch tracks. Our entire financial system would be disrupted because
computers would shut down. I could go on but you get the picture. Recovery would
depend upon the restoration of electric power, the possibility of which would
depend upon whether a part of the country was unaffected and that would depend
upon where the bomb explodes.
Graham has made
many recommendations which should be implemented to avoid such an attack. (Would
that the public now understand the urgency to ensure that Iran
does not acquire a nuclear device. Iran already has successfully tested
a missile capable of carrying one into the high
atmosphere).
Graham asserts
that it is essential to pursue intelligence, interdiction, deterrence and
defense to discourage an EMP attack. The highest priority is to prevent an
attack. Our policies should shape the global environment to reduce incentives to
create EMP weapons. We need to make it difficult and dangerous to acquire
them.
Graham argues
that we need to begin immediately a program to protect critical components of
key infrastructures. We must maintain the ability to monitor and evaluate the
condition of critical infrastructures. Graham reminds us that the absence of
information can make things worse through inaction or incorrect action. Graham
points to the blackout of August 13, 2003 as an example of the absence of
information leading to inaction. We need to recognize an EMP attack and
understand how its effects differ from natural disruptions.
America needs a plan to carry out the systematic recovery of key infrastructures. We
must demonstrate the will and ability to recover from any attack. Toward that
end we need a special team which frequently reports to Congress. We need to
define the responsibilities of the Federal, state and local governments. The
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs to develop a plan for the country in
conjunction with local governments and the Pentagon needs a clear plan to keep
the Armed Forces functioning in the event of an attack. DHS must establish a
senior leadership position with the accountability, authority and appropriate
resources to defend against the most serious threats. Graham says that an EMP
attack is a credible, potentially catastrophic threat to the United
States. He says that the U.S.
strategy should balance prevention, preparation, protection and
recovery.
The
Administration of President George W. Bush has known this for years, yet almost
nothing has been done about it. Had he released this report and enforced the
panel’s recommendations he would be remembered as the President who saved
America. Some scientists think the
report may be released next month. If so it would behoove Bush to spend his
remaining six months in office implementing Graham’s recommendations. He cannot
begin a moment too soon.
Paul Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.
© This column is the property of the Free Congress Foundation and may not be reproduced without their permission. For comments and inquiries, contact Phyllis E. Hughes at . Visit our website at http://www.FreeCongress.org.
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