Dual Containment and Iran: Understanding and Assessing Us Policy.

Abstract

Dual Containment is a complex policy by which the United States attempts to simultaneously deal with two hostile nations that are themselves bitter enemies. To analyze the impact of this policy on Iran, one must first unlock its interwoven objectives and consider them in concert with congressional legislation aimed at influencing Iranian behavior. Reality judgements made about the true nature of Iranian behavior that the U.S. deems unacceptable must be based on fact rather than rhetoric. An appreciation must also be had for the perspectives of Arab Gulf states that are most directly effected by Dual Containment. When U.S. policy toward Iran is differentiated into successes and failures it becomes clear that at best Dual Containment is a holding action. What is needed today is a long term vision toward dealing with the Islamic Republic, a competitive strategy that can both entice and coerce Iran into assuming a responsible role in the community of nations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 02, 1997
Accession Number
ADA367885

Entities

People

  • Derel F. Offer
  • Peter J. Bunce

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arms Control
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Department Of State
  • Foreign Relations
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Political Systems
  • Theater Ballistic Missiles
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • United States Central Command

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Strategic Security Studies