1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910464350403321

Autore

Davis Jacquelyn K

Titolo

Anticipating a nuclear Iran : challenges for U.S. security / / Jacquelyn K. Davis and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff Jr ; Noah Arlow, jacket design

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York : , : Columbia University Press, , 2014

©2014

ISBN

0-231-53594-5

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (241 p.)

Altri autori (Persone)

PfaltzgraffRobert L

ArlowNoah

Disciplina

355.02/170955

Soggetti

Nuclear weapons - Iran

Electronic books.

Iran Military policy

Iran Politics and government 1997-

Iran Foreign relations 1997-

United States Relations Iran

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Includes index.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- CONTENTS -- TABLES AND BOXES -- PREFACE -- 1. Introduction: Setting the Scene for Iran's Emergence as a Nuclear Power -- 2. The Deterrence Dynamics of an Iran with Nuclear Weapons -- 3. Considerations Influencing Iran's Nuclear Emergence -- 4. Nuclear Weapons Operationalization: What Type of Nuclear Force? -- 5. Implications for U.S. Strategic and Operational Planning -- 6. U.S. Deterrence Planning in the Event of an Iranian Nuclear Breakout -- 7. Dealing with a Nuclear Iran and Asymmetric Challenges -- 8. U.S. Deterrence Planning and Iran -- NOTES -- INDEX

Sommario/riassunto

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.