Negotiating the Gordian Knot: A Revised Strategy on Iran
Abstract
The current U.S. strategy for Iran seeks to achieve U.S. goals through indirect diplomacy, isolation, punitive sanctions, and threats of military force. However, Iran's Islamic Republic has shown only contempt for the United States while forming lucrative trade agreements with other large industrial nations, such as China, Russia, and India. The strategy has also not deterred Tehran's nuclear ambitions, nor its support for terror. Rather, it is achieving the opposite effect Iran's nuclear program is less transparent and may produce a bomb in the next six years. Iran is also supporting Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite fighters and destabilizing Middle East efforts. This SRP proposes a revised strategy to reverse the current trend by creating open dialogue and building international consensus for negotiating directly with Iran on more salient issues. Accounting for Iranian domestic challenges, the revised strategy will cut the Gordian Knot using a balanced approach considering Iran's political, demographics, and economic issues. The strategic goals are to normalize relations through cooperation, to establish stability over democracy, and to allow Iran to develop its commercial nuclear capability while preventing military nuclear proliferation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 25, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469616
Entities
People
- Kevin P. Stoddard
Organizations
- United States Army War College