The US and Chinese governments have announced the installation of radiation detection equipment in Shanghai port. The system, so far installed in 34 ports, is meant to intercept black-market radioactive materials. Meanwhile, semi-official nuclear supplies will continue by air: Saudi Arabia keeps two airplanes in Pakistan ready to bring nuclear bombs to Riyadh at any moment.
By 2018, only 50% of the world’s cargo will go through ports equipped with these scanners, which leaves smugglers with ample routes to circumvent the controls. Besides, in many Third World ports they can bribe port officials to bypass the scan. So the system, commendable as it is, will hardly save our civilization.
