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Not only is nuclear terrorism a threat because of the associated radiation and sheer explosive power, but a nuclear warhead could be used simultaneously to commit an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack.

An EMP attack occurs when the strong electromagnetic pulse associated with the detonation of a nuclear warhead significantly disrupts infrastructure by damaging power grids and electronic signals. The Heritage Foundation’s Jack Spencer detailed how EMP attacks were capable of committing a substantial blow to America by stifling the ability of the military, first responders and critical infrastructure to operate and respond to public needs. As the threat of nuclear terrorism increases and Iran continues to engage in nuclear grandstanding, so does the threat of these types of attacks.

States are recognizing the threat of these EMP attacks and making preparations. Last year, Alaska made the decision to add an EMP attack to its emergency response plan. Other states have followed suit. These decisions are the right move for states at risk for such an attack and are the right move to decrease the over-federalization of disaster preparedness.

The threat of EMP attacks highlights the need for a robust, resilient infrastructure that is equipped to continue operation, even after such an attack. America must not continue to rely exclusively on measures aimed at preventing all attacks but must ensure that in the event of an attack America is not crippled to extinction.

In his job at The Heritage Foundation, Jim Carafano (left in photo) coordinates research on national security and foreign policy. Making movies isn’t his thing. But last week he flew to Los Angeles to do just that. Here’s a report he filed from 30,000 feet:

It’s my task to make sure “33 Minutes” is technically accurate and “fair and balanced,” but I also go stuck with a cameo roll. It’s my job to explain the impact of a nuclear weapon delivered by a ballistic missile.

We started filming in New York to demonstrate what would happen in a missile attack on the Big Apple. In Los Angeles, I talked about what would happen if a nuclear weapon, instead of being detonated over a city, exploded at a very high-altitude above the center of the United States. The short answer is we would all be victims, New York, Los Angeles, and everyone across the 3,000 miles of the United States.

We would all be victims of EMP — Electromagnetic Pulse, a force so powerful it would fry every electronic device in America from the electrical grid to iPods.

While in Southern California, the filming took me to the home of Dr. Bill Graham, former chairman of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack and the former national science adviser to President Ronald Reagan. Graham was just in Washington last week testifying to Congress about the EMP threat.

The taping in Los Angeles couldn’t be more timely with all the news about Iranian “saber-rattling” missile tests, negotiations with North Korea over nuke inspections, and riveting testimony on the Hill over the threat nuclear weapon generated EMP. They serve to remind us how important it is to tell this story.