Iran's Youth Bulge and It's Implications for U.S. National Security
Abstract
Iran's intransigence over its nuclear development program is only the latest episode in which Tehran has made international news headlines and is at least part of the reason 27 percent of Americans consider Iran as Washington's "greatest menace."(1) Iran's February 2006 announcement it would resume enriching uranium underscored the tension that has existed between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Then, after insurrectionists seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held Americans hostage for 444-days, Washington cut formal relations and has since relied on other countries such as France and Russia to deal with Tehran.(2) But it may be time for Washington to begin dealing directly with Tehran rather than working through proxies. After all, Iran is both regionally and strategically significant. Its population is estimated to be nearly 70 million, and it sits astride the intersection of Central, Southwest, and South Asia, as well as the Persian Gulf. In addition to these geographical and human resources, Iran is also endowed with the world's second-largest gas reserve (it has 15 percent of the total world gas reserves) and the third-largest reserve of oil (9 percent of the global oil reserve).(3) Yet Iran is disconnected from the world's Functioning Core of countries, thus far having eluded integration or globalization. It therefore requires careful attention from analysts, U.S. military planners, and policymakers, especially in light of its important ongoing demographic changes. This paper considers one of Iran's most important demographic challenges its youth bulge and its potential impacts on U.S. national security. The paper begins by summarizing the broad academic literature and existing schools of thought relationships between youth bulges in general and political instability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA475570
Entities
People
- Brendan M. Harris
Organizations
- Air University Press