Comparing Availability of Public Nuclear Security Information in the United States and Russia

While secrecy is important component of a nuclear security, availability of open information on the status of nuclear security is important to assure the public and the international community that systems are functioning adequately. The status of nuclear security in the United States and Russia draws attention for multiple reasons. The United States and Russia have the two largest nuclear complexes and stockpiles of nuclear materials. Both countries are home to attractive targets for acts of catastrophic sabotage or theft of significant quantities of nuclear material sufficient for making nuclear explosive device. The United States and Russia are potential role models and sources of expertise for implementation of nuclear security programs worldwide. Thus, U.S and Russian demonstrations of good nuclear security can contribute to better nuclear security globally, while evidence of bad nuclear security in either country can be demotivating for nuclear security programs worldwide, or, if handled correctly, serve as learning opportunities. The United States and Russia represent two extremes in terms of openness about security related information. In the U.S. there is substantial public discussion on nuclear security that involves government, industry, NGOs, academia, and mass-media. This discussion generates significant volumes of publicly available information on various components of nuclear security programs. Good government practices like budget transparency and accountability, the availability of government documents through legal tools like the Freedom of Information Act, the existence of epistemic communities focused on nuclear security, and accountability through the press are key drivers of openness. On the other hand, Russian culture of secrecy in security related matters is pervasive, government and industry do not believe public has role in nuclear security, while interest in nuclear security matters outside of professional circle is nearly non-existent. Still, ongoing changes in information accessibility in Russia create opportunity for growing volume of information about nuclear security in Russia. This paper is intended to compare availability of information about nuclear security in the United States and Russia. It will review available sources of information, evaluate their relevance and reliability, and outline conclusions one can reasonably draw about the state of nuclear security from available information.