An Examination of US Policy Toward Iranian Nuclear Proliferation

Abstract

The consequences of Iranian development, declaration, and demonstration of nuclear weapons are too dire to ignore; they are in fact potentially catastrophic. This paper concludes that to date, U.S. policy has been ineffectual in curbing Iranian nuclear proliferation efforts and recommends the development of a new policy that moves away from a primarily confrontational policy model to one which includes direct diplomatic and economic engagement options. Furthermore, the new policy should seek to achieve the following goals: (1) Iran does not acquire, declare, or demonstrate a nuclear weapons capability, (2) Iranian acceptance of, and adherence to, all Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) protocols, and (3) renunciation by Iran of the intent to field the full nuclear fuel cycle, thereby ending Iran's need for an industrial level Iranian uranium enrichment capability. Finally, the paper argues that any new policy must be underwritten by a robust strategic communications plan as well as thorough military deterrent options.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 30, 2007
Accession Number
ADA471360

Entities

People

  • William K. Miller

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Governments
  • Interagency Coordination
  • International Organizations
  • Law
  • Middle East
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear Fuels
  • Nuclear Proliferation
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Reconnaissance
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security
  • Strategic Security Studies