Countering Iranian Sponsored Terrorism
Abstract
This thesis examines Iran's sponsorship of terrorism as a tool of policy, the threat this poses to U.S. national interests, and the need for the U.S. to implement a comprehensive strategy to change Iran's behavior. Dealing with Iran's sponsorship of terrorism is fundamental to the U.S. national interests of stabilizing the Middle East. The United States must implement a comprehensive strategy supported by the international community, incorporating a combination of soft power initiatives and U.S. military action, while conveying the message that the United States seeks to normalize relations with Iran. Among the factors that complicate this are Iran's tortured history with the United States, Iran's history of differences with the Arab people, Iran's current security situation, and global economic issues. Key to exploiting Iran's inability to produce gasoline is not sanctions against third party nations; it is gaining the support of those third parties in changing Iran's behavior. Three activities compose Iran's sponsorship of terrorism: the direction of activities of a person or organization, the supply of funding or armament, and the use of national assets or territory for training or intelligence. Iran must cease these activities before the United States can normalize relations with Iran.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA530146
Entities
People
- Nathan J. Prussian
Organizations
- National Defense University