Survey: Nuclear Terrorism Top Fear Of Americans

  • Jan 03, 2008

The Saga Foundation recently announced the results of a survey which revealed the top fear of Americans is nuclear terrorism. An overwhelming 74 percent of Americans believe that a successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil is likely to happen. Almost half (49 percent) believe an attack will include some sort of a nuclear device.

The findings were revealed by a nationwide survey and in a series of focus group sessions conducted for the Saga Foundation by Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research. The fear of another "successful terrorist attack" scares more Americans (35 percent) than anything else, including threats of an economic recession, global warming, natural disaster and a disease pandemic. In fact, nearly 50 percent of Americans fear al Qaeda acquiring a nuclear bomb more than they fear states that already have the bomb, including potential rogue nations with nuclear ambitions such as North Korea and Iran.

The survey found that nearly three out of every five Americans are convinced al Qaeda will acquire a nuclear weapon in the next decade. If that is the case, 73 percent say that al Qaeda terrorist cells would target its stated enemy, the United States.

Ironically, successful post-9/11 prevention has not increased the nation's comfort level. Of the respondents, 56 percent in the Saga Foundation survey said they believe America is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the next terrorist attack. That concern was echoed by the vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, former Democratic House member, and Saga Foundation research contributor Lee Hamilton

"Keep in mind, that there isn't any doubt here about the intention of the terrorists. They've made it very clear -- they want to get hold of a nuclear weapon,” Hamilton said. “So this is not an idle threat, it's a very serious one."

"The findings are clear. Americans -- Republicans and Democrats -- agree on at least one thing: terrorists are not going to differentiate between political parties,” said Saga Foundation President David Bartoshuk. “Both red and blue states are in the terrorists crosshairs. When exploring the possibility of another 9/11 -- or perhaps, something much more horrific involving crude nuclear bombs -- it is not a question of 'if,' but 'when,' in the mind of a terrorist."

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