Countering Iran with Arms Sales to the Gulf Cooperation Council States
Abstract
This paper examines whether the United States should sell powerful offensive weapons to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. A number of analysts and U.S. Congressmen have either opposed or expressed concern over the nature of U.S. arms sales to the Gulf region. Some of these individuals make the case that major offensive conventional weapons are poorly suited to countering a nuclear-armed Iran. Others are concerned by the potential of such weapons to increase the likelihood or consequences of war in the region. By contrast, this paper argues that major offensive weapons are likely to be essential in maintaining a favorable balance of power in the Gulf if Iran develops and deploys nuclear weapons. Moreover, the sale of such weapons to the GCC states could help to dissuade Iran from developing nuclear weapons and convince it to accept strong international controls on its nuclear program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA575294
Entities
People
- Daniel K. Rosenfield
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses