IRAN -- NUCLEAR PROGRAM
AP Photo
August 20, 2012
"Why West Should Curb Hostility To Non-Aligned Summit in Tehran"
Op-Ed, Al-Monitor
By Abbas Maleki, Associate, International Security Program and Kaveh L. Afrasiabi
"...[T]he various implications of the NAM summit and Iran's NAM presidency — for regional stability, conflict mediation and a greater Iranian role as a responsible international actor, among others — need to be taken into consideration in the West, as part and parcel of a more prudent and nuanced Western approach toward Iran, instead of one that is dependent on coercive diplomacy."
August 17, 2012
"How America Can Stop Israel's Slow March To War"
Op-Ed, New York Times
By Dennis Ross, International Council Member, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"Obama administration officials have made it clear that they believe there is still time and space for diplomatic efforts to succeed in stopping from achieving a capability," writes Dennis Ross, a member of the Belfer Center's International Council.
AP Photo
August 4, 2012
"Attacking Iran: Lessons from the Iran-Iraq War — Part 2"
Op-Ed, Fair Observer
By Annie Tracy Samuel, Research Fellow, International Security Program
"Like the 1980 Iraqi invasion, an attack will be viewed in Iran as part of a pattern of Western subversion and aggression that links together British and Russian economic exploitation, occupation during World War II, the coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq in 1953, and years of support for the Shah's repressive regime. For those in Iran who question the standard narrative of concerted and constant Western aggression, an attack on Iranian territory will dispel any doubt and engender the next generations of Iranians who subscribe to that view."
AP Photo
August 4, 2012
"A Security Guarantee Now"
Op-Ed
By Chuck Freilich, Senior Fellow, International Security Program
"...Israel should explore the possibility of obtaining a U.S. security guarantee that is limited to the Iranian nuclear program (and possibly other existential threats), on the condition that it does not restrict our freedom of maneuver in other areas—or limit our strategic capabilities. These capabilities are the ultimate guarantor of our security and cannot be compromised, indeed, they may be sufficient in themselves to deter Iran. The United States, in any event, which is greatly concerned over the ramifications of an Israeli strike and is doing everything in its power to prevent one, may demonstrate greater openness to the idea than it did in the past...."
AP Photo
July 28, 2012
"Attacking Iran: Lessons from the Iran-Iraq War — Part 1"
Op-Ed, Fair Observer
By Annie Tracy Samuel, Research Fellow, International Security Program
"While the regime may increase its strength in the wake of an attack, it may also be able to capitalize on an attack to eliminate its internal enemies. That is precisely what happened following the 1980 Iraqi invasion. Ayatollah Khomeini and his allies used the war to strengthen their control over the state along the war-making state-making nexus, following the pattern of revolutionary elites in other countries. Their main rival for power within the Islamic Republic was the secular leaning constituency led by President Abolhassan Banisadr, who had tried to gain the support of the regular armed forces and to steer the war effort in his role as commander in chief. To minimize Banisadr's power, Khomeini sent his own representatives to oversee the armed forces, which eroded their support for the president, and built up a competing powerbase in the IRGC."
AP Images
July 23, 2012
"Nuclear Submarine Program Surfaces in Iran"
Op-Ed, Power & Policy Blog
By Olli Heinonen, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
After the announcement by the deputy chief of the Iranian navy that it is considering nuclear propulsion for its submarines[1], actions have proceeded swiftly. A bill in the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) Committee was approved[2], and debate in Majlis is to follow in coming days, parallel to the next round of the P5+1 talks with Iran in Istanbul.
July/ August 2012
"The Rocky Road of Nuclear Diplomacy With Iran"
Op-Ed, Arms Control Today
By Olli Heinonen, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
The following is an excerpt from Olli Heinonen's article, "The Rocky Road of Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran", published in Arms Control Today. For full text of the article, click here.
Vahid Salemi - AP Images
July 6, 2012
"Will Iran Crack?"
Op-Ed, Los Angeles Times
By Meghan L. O'Sullivan, Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
The latest Iran sanctions came into full effect this week, adding to a byzantine array of unilateral and multilateral measures that prohibit Iranian oil imports, other trade and financial transactions, and freeze Iranian assets by countries concerned that Tehran's nuclear program is intended for military purposes, not civilian ones.
July 10, 2012
"Laser Isotope Separation –The Genie is out of the Bottle"
Presentation
By Olli Heinonen, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
On May 16, 2012, the Center for Strategic and International Studies invited Mr. Olli Heinonen (Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs) to discuss the safeguardablity of uranium laser enrichment. Attached are some of the main points of the presentation.
AP Photo
June 21, 2012
"The Warfare State: Considering a Military Attack in a Fourth Muslim Country"
Op-Ed, The Huffington Post
By Charles G. Cogan, Associate, International Security Program
"Whether or not the U.S. joined in an Israeli bombing of Iran, it would be blamed for it, and it would be seen throughout the world as America's fourth military intervention in a Muslim country."
