Belfer Center Home > Experts > Caitlin Talmadge

« Back to Caitlin Talmadge

 
 

 

By Region

 

AP photo

Summer 2008

"Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz"

Journal Article, International Security, issue 1, volume 33

By Caitlin Talmadge

How might Iran retaliate in the aftermath of a limited Israeli or U.S. strike? The most economically devastating of Iran's potential responses would be closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to open-source order of battle data, as well as relevant analogies from military history and GIS maps, Iran does possess significant littoral warfare capabilities, including mines, antiship cruise missiles, and land-based air defense. If Iran were able to properly link these capabilities, it could halt or impede traffic in the Strait of Hormuz for a month or more. U.S. attempts to reopen the waterway likely would escalate rapidly into sustained, large-scale air and naval operations during which Iran could impose significant economic and military costs on the United States — even if Iranian operations were not successful in truly closing the strait. The aftermath of limited strikes on Iran would be complicated and costly, suggesting needed changes in U.S. force posture and energy policy.


FULL TEXT AVAILABLE>>

 

Winter 2008/09

"Correspondence: Costs and Difficulties of Blocking the Strait of Hormuz"

Journal Article, International Security, issue 3, volume 33

By William D. O'Neil and Caitlin Talmadge

William O'Neil replies to Caitlin Talmadge's Summer 2008 International Security article, "Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz."

 

 

AP photo

Summer 2008

"Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz"

Journal Article, International Security, issue 1, volume 33

By Caitlin Talmadge

How might Iran retaliate in the aftermath of a limited Israeli or U.S. strike? The most economically devastating of Iran's potential responses would be closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to open-source order of battle data, as well as relevant analogies from military history and GIS maps, Iran does possess significant littoral warfare capabilities, including mines, antiship cruise missiles, and land-based air defense. If Iran were able to properly link these capabilities, it could halt or impede traffic in the Strait of Hormuz for a month or more. U.S. attempts to reopen the waterway likely would escalate rapidly into sustained, large-scale air and naval operations during which Iran could impose significant economic and military costs on the United States — even if Iranian operations were not successful in truly closing the strait. The aftermath of limited strikes on Iran would be complicated and costly, suggesting needed changes in U.S. force posture and energy policy.


FULL TEXT AVAILABLE>>

 

AP photo

Summer 2008

"Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz"

Journal Article, International Security, issue 1, volume 33

By Caitlin Talmadge

How might Iran retaliate in the aftermath of a limited Israeli or U.S. strike? The most economically devastating of Iran's potential responses would be closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to open-source order of battle data, as well as relevant analogies from military history and GIS maps, Iran does possess significant littoral warfare capabilities, including mines, antiship cruise missiles, and land-based air defense. If Iran were able to properly link these capabilities, it could halt or impede traffic in the Strait of Hormuz for a month or more. U.S. attempts to reopen the waterway likely would escalate rapidly into sustained, large-scale air and naval operations during which Iran could impose significant economic and military costs on the United States — even if Iranian operations were not successful in truly closing the strait. The aftermath of limited strikes on Iran would be complicated and costly, suggesting needed changes in U.S. force posture and energy policy.


FULL TEXT AVAILABLE>>

 

Winter 2008/09

"Correspondence: Costs and Difficulties of Blocking the Strait of Hormuz"

Journal Article, International Security, issue 3, volume 33

By William D. O'Neil and Caitlin Talmadge

William O'Neil replies to Caitlin Talmadge's Summer 2008 International Security article, "Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz."

 

 

AP photo

Summer 2008

"Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz"

Journal Article, International Security, issue 1, volume 33

By Caitlin Talmadge

How might Iran retaliate in the aftermath of a limited Israeli or U.S. strike? The most economically devastating of Iran's potential responses would be closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to open-source order of battle data, as well as relevant analogies from military history and GIS maps, Iran does possess significant littoral warfare capabilities, including mines, antiship cruise missiles, and land-based air defense. If Iran were able to properly link these capabilities, it could halt or impede traffic in the Strait of Hormuz for a month or more. U.S. attempts to reopen the waterway likely would escalate rapidly into sustained, large-scale air and naval operations during which Iran could impose significant economic and military costs on the United States — even if Iranian operations were not successful in truly closing the strait. The aftermath of limited strikes on Iran would be complicated and costly, suggesting needed changes in U.S. force posture and energy policy.


FULL TEXT AVAILABLE>>

 

SUBSCRIBE

Get the latest research on the most important international topics

Receive email updates on the most pressing topics in international affairs and science.

Events Calendar

We host a busy schedule of events throughout the fall, winter and spring. Past guests include: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Vice President Al Gore, and former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev.