Anticipating a nuclear Iran : challenges for U.S. security
(Book)

Book Cover
Average Rating
Published
New York : Columbia University Press, [2013?].
Status
Central - Adult Nonfiction
955.06 DAVIS
1 available

Copies

LocationCall NumberStatus
Central - Adult Nonfiction955.06 DAVISAvailable

Description

This volume is based on the assumption that Iran will soon obtain nuclear weapons, and Jacquelyn K. Davis and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff Jr. develop alternative models for assessing the challenges of a nuclear Iran for U.S. security. Through three scenario models, the book explores the political, strategic, and operational challenges facing the United States in a post–Cold War world. The authors concentrate on the type of nuclear capability Iran might develop; the conditions under which Iran might resort to threatened or actual weapons use; the extent to which Iran's military strategy and declaratory policy might embolden Iran and its proxies to pursue more aggressive policies in the region and vis-à-vis the United States; and Iran's ability to transfer nuclear materials to others within and outside the region, possibly sparking a nuclear cascade. Drawing on recent post–Cold War deterrence theory, the authors consider Iran's nuclear ambitions as they relate to its foreign policy objectives, domestic politics, and role in the Islamic world, and they suggest specific approaches to improve U.S. defense and deterrence planning.

More Details

Format
Book
Physical Desc
viii, 226 pages ; 24 cm
Language
English
ISBN
9780231166225 , 0231166222

Notes

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 163-213) and index.

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Published Reviews

Publisher's Weekly Review

Preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons has been a longstanding priority for U.S. administrations, but there is growing realization that Iranian nuclear capabilities may be inevitable. Davis and Pfaltzgraff, both of the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, begin with the assumption that Iran will get the bomb in the near future, and sketch out likely scenarios that would inform American responses. They rely on three models: A "defensive Iran," playing by similar rules as established nuclear states; an "aggressive Iran," emboldened to take a proactive role in regional conflicts; and an "unstable Iran," where authority over weapons of mass destruction becomes unclear. The authors warn that America's "[l]ack of familiarity with Iran's value structures or with the perspectives of key leaders presents a daunting problem," and they explore a variety of frightening scenarios, including an Iranian military proliferating weapons to other countries. Employing dry, analytic language, the text encompasses so many unknowns that many passages could apply equally well to Pakistan or even North Korea. The policy recommendations, beginning with the truism that "[d]eterring a nuclear Iran will be challenging and difficult," are, as a result, vague and formulaic. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Publishers Weekly Reviews

Preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons has been a longstanding priority for U.S. administrations, but there is growing realization that Iranian nuclear capabilities may be inevitable. Davis and Pfaltzgraff, both of the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, begin with the assumption that Iran will get the bomb in the near future, and sketch out likely scenarios that would inform American responses. They rely on three models: A "defensive Iran," playing by similar rules as established nuclear states; an "aggressive Iran," emboldened to take a proactive role in regional conflicts; and an "unstable Iran," where authority over weapons of mass destruction becomes unclear. The authors warn that America's "ack of familiarity with Iran's value structures or with the perspectives of key leaders presents a daunting problem," and they explore a variety of frightening scenarios, including an Iranian military proliferating weapons to other countries. Employing dry, analytic language, the text encompasses so many unknowns that many passages could apply equally well to Pakistan or even North Korea. The policy recommendations, beginning with the truism that "eterring a nuclear Iran will be challenging and difficult," are, as a result, vague and formulaic. (Dec.)

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Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

Davis, J. K., & Pfaltzgraff, R. L., Jr. (2013). Anticipating a nuclear Iran: challenges for U.S. security . Columbia University Press.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Davis, Jacquelyn K. and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr. 2013. Anticipating a Nuclear Iran: Challenges for U.S. Security. New York: Columbia University Press.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Davis, Jacquelyn K. and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr. Anticipating a Nuclear Iran: Challenges for U.S. Security New York: Columbia University Press, 2013.

Harvard Citation (style guide)

Davis, J. K. and Pfaltzgraff, R. L., Jr. (2013). Anticipating a nuclear iran: challenges for U.S. security. New York: Columbia University Press.

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

Davis, Jacquelyn K.,, and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr. Anticipating a Nuclear Iran: Challenges for U.S. Security Columbia University Press, 2013.

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.

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