Alarming trends involving nuclear material trafficking are raising urgent security concerns, as highlighted by recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to data released by the IAEA, there were nearly 150 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials reported last year. This consistency with prior years, juxtaposed against sustained incidents of trafficking and radioactive contamination, emphasizes the persistent vulnerabilities within nuclear security globally.
Among the reported incidents, three were directly linked to trafficking or malicious intent, and authorities were unable to determine criminal involvement in 21 cases. While most incidents did not indicate organized crime, experts caution against the significant risks posed by the possibility of nuclear materials falling prey to illicit use.
A particularly troubling trend noted was the rise of contaminated industrial materials, such as pipes and metal parts, inadvertently entering supply chains. Elena Buglova, IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security Director, acknowledged this challenge, stating, "This indicates the challenge for some countries to prevent the unauthorized disposal of radioactive sources, and at the same time, it confirms the efficiency of the detection infrastructure."
The transportation of radioactive materials has been identified as one of the most susceptible areas to security breaches. Over the last decade, 65 percent of reported thefts occurred during transit. Various handlers are involved during the transport of nuclear and radioactive substances for usage in medicine, industry, and scientific research, presenting multiple targets for potential theft.
Experts argue for the necessity of enhanced safety measures to prevent loss or theft during transportation, coupled with increased international collaboration to bolster security across supply chains. The IAEA emphasizes the significant role it plays in monitoring to prevent nuclear materials from escaping regulatory control. Notably, 32 of the 145 participant states submitted reports this year aimed at reinforcing nuclear security measures.
Buglova highlighted the importance of these reports, asserting, "Incident reports submitted by participating countries to the ITDB [IAEA database] over the past 30 years have strengthened global efforts to combat illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control." Given the constantly developing nature of nuclear threats, the IAEA has urged states to fortify their security strategies, focusing particularly on transporting, using, and disposing of radioactive materials.
Meanwhile, air travel safety is also under scrutiny, as reflected in the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual safety report, which notes rising incidents of air travel accidents and fatalities. IATA recorded increases since 2023, making headlines but still maintaining figures below the five-year average. Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, elucidated, "Even with recent high profile aviation accidents, it is important to know accidents are rare. The long-term narrative of aviation safety remains one of continuous improvement. A decade ago, the five-year average was one accident for every 456,000 flights; today, it is one accident for every 810,000 flights. That improvement shows our commitment to reducing fatalities, one incident at a time."
The report identified conflict zones as major contributors to aviation incidents, referencing the devastating December crash in Kazakhstan with 38 fatalities and another crash in Sudan claiming five lives. IATA highlighted Canada’s Safer Skies initiative, geared toward collaboration between commercial airlines and international organizations to boost passenger safety, particularly in risk-prone areas.
Particular risks noted included tail strikes and runway excursions, prominently observed in North America. Concurrently, IATA reported alarming growths, though not the primary cause of aviation incidents, concerning Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) disruptions, especially with jamming and spoofing incidents.
These disruptions could create severe navigational challenges for airlines. Walsh highlighted the gravity of reliable navigation, stating, "Reliable navigation is fundamental to safe and efficient flight operations. Immediate steps by governments and air navigation service providers are needed to stop this practice and improve situational awareness to equip airlines with the necessary tools to operate safely everywhere."
Given the number of crashes and incidents reported at the beginning of 2025, IATA urges the aviation community to prioritize thorough accident investigations. Walsh stated, "Accident investigation remains pivotal for enhancing global aviation safety. To be effective, reports of accident investigations must be complete, accessible, and timely." IATA’s complete 2024 Annual Safety Report is available for detailed review.
These growing trends surrounding both nuclear material trafficking and air travel safety signal urgent calls for preventative measures and international cooperation to mitigate risks associated with these two pivotal domains.