DOCSLIB.ORG

Israel's Role in the Struggle Over the Iranian Nuclear Project

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Israel's Role in the Struggle Over the Iranian Nuclear Project Israel’s Role in the Struggle over the Iranian Nuclear Project Yossi Kuperwasser Ramat Gan 5290002 Israel Mideast Security and Policy Studies No. 114 www.besacenter.org THE BEGIN-SADAT CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY Mideast Security and Policy Studies No. 114 Israel’s Role in the Struggle over the Iranian Nuclear Project Yossi Kuperwasser Israel’s Role in the Struggle over the Iranian Nuclear Project Yossi Kuperwasser © The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies Bar-Ilan University Ramat Gan 5290002 Israel Tel. 972-3-5318959 Fax. 972-3-5359195 [email protected] http://www.besacenter.org ISSN 0793-1042 June 2015 Cover picture: flickr -United States Department of State The Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies advances a realist, conservative, and Zionist agenda in the search for security and peace for Israel. It was named in memory of Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, whose efforts in pursuing peace lay the cornerstone for conflict resolution in the Middle East. The center conducts policy-relevant research on strategic subjects, particularly as they relate to the national security and foreign policy of Israel and Middle East regional affairs. Mideast Security and Policy Studies serve as a forum for publication or re-publication of research conducted by BESA associates. Publication of a work by BESA signifies that it is deemed worthy of public consideration but does not imply endorsement of the author’s views or conclusions. Colloquia on Strategy and Diplomacy summarize the papers delivered at conferences and seminars held by the Center for the academic, military, official and general publics. In sponsoring these discussions, the BESA Center aims to stimulate public debate on, and consideration of, contending approaches to problems of peace and war in the Middle East. The Policy Memorandum series consists of policy-oriented papers. The content of the publications reflects the views of the authors only. A list of recent BESA Center publications can be found at the end of this booklet. International Advisory Board Founder of the Center and Chairman of the Advisory Board: Dr. Thomas O. Hecht Vice Chairman: Mr. Saul Koschitzky Members: Prof. Moshe Arens, Ms. Marion Hecht, Mr. Robert Hecht, Prof. Riva Heft- Hecht, Hon. Shlomo Hillel, Mr. Joel Koschitzky, Amb. Yitzhak Levanon, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Mr. Robert K. Lifton, Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney, Mr. Seymour D. Reich, Mr. Greg Rosshandler, Amb. Zalman Shoval, Amb. Norman Spector, Mr. Muzi Wertheim International Academic Advisory Board Prof. Desmond Ball Australian National University, Prof. Ian Beckett University of Kent, Dr. Eliot A. Cohen Johns Hopkins University, Prof. Irwin Cotler McGill University, Prof. Steven R. David Johns Hopkins University, Prof. Yehezkel Dror Hebrew University, Prof. Lawrence Freedman King’s College, Prof. Patrick James University of Southern California, Prof. Robert J. Lieber Georgetown University Research Staff BESA Center Director: Prof. Efraim Inbar Research Associates: Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaacov Amidror, Dr. Efrat Aviv, Dr. Yael Bloch-Elkon, Brig. Gen. (res.) Moni Chorev, Dr. Gil Feiler, Prof. Jonathan Fox, Prof. Hillel Frisch, Prof. Eytan Gilboa, Col. (res.) Aby Har-Even, Eado Hecht, Dr. Tsilla Hershco, Prof. Efraim Karsh, Lt. Col. (res.) Dr. Mordechai Kedar, Prof. Avi Kober, Dr. Alon Levkowitz, Dr. Yaacov Lifshitz, Prof. Ze’ev Maghen, Ambassador Arye Mekel, Dr. Liad Porat, Mr. Amir Rapaport, Mr. Uzi Rubin, Dr. Jonathan Rynhold, Prof. Shmuel Sandler, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Dr. Emanuel Sakal, Dr. Eitan Shamir, Lt. Col. (res.) Dr. Dany Shoham, Prof. Shlomo Shpiro, Dr. Max Singer, Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum Director of Public Affairs: David M. Weinberg Program Coordinator: Hava Waxman Koen Publication Editor (Hebrew): Alona Briner Rozenman This research was supported by the B. L. Manger Foundation The B. L. Manger Foundation Inc. is a charitable foundation established by the late Bernard L. Manger z”l for Jewish charitable, philanthropic, religious, and educational purposes. Longtime residents of Stamford, Connecticut, USA, Ben Manger, together with his wife Faye, support numerous worthwhile Jewish causes and the growth and development of the State of Israel. Israel’s Role in the Struggle over the Iranian Nuclear Project Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 9 THE IRANIAN MILITARY NUCLEAR PROJECT AND THE NEGOTIATIONS OVER ITS FATE .................................................................................. 9 THE REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT, AND THE IMPACT OF THE LEADERS’ WORLDVIEWS ON THE DEAL ...................................... 16 THE ISRAELI POLICY......................................................................... 19 THE POLICY OF THE US ADMINISTRATION ........................................ 27 WHAT LIES AHEAD?......................................................................... 30 NOTES ........................................................................................... 36 Israel’s Role in the Struggle over the Iranian Nuclear Project Yossi Kuperwasser EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Though not a participant in the negotiations over the deal regarding the Iranian nuclear program being worked out between the international community and Iran, Israel has been a major player; influential in framing the discussions as well in its effect on the development of the Iranian program. The Israeli role reflects the critical importance of the fate of the program from its perspective, given Iran’s repeated calls for Israel’s destruction. While Israel and the United States share a common goal of preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons, and cooperate in order to attain this goal, their differing worldviews result in different attitudes to the threat, to nuclear concessions to Iran, and to Iran’s regional role. Put succinctly, Washington seeks to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, while Jerusalem seeks to prevent it from having the capability to produce nuclear weapons. Israel’s strategy toward the Iranian program has consistently been one of coercion. Israel believes that with enough pressure Iran can be convinced that it has no chance of becoming a nuclear weapon state. On the other hand, Israel believes that the deal proposed now will justifiably be presented by Iran as a victory of the Islamic Republic, one that can be translated into further achievements in Iran’s quest for regional hegemony. The Obama administration claims that the Israeli strategy is counterproductive. It justifies these claims with a set of arguments, all of which are distorted or simply wrong. In fact, the main reason for the reluctance of the administration to consider the strategy proposed by Israel, and by like-minded Arab states and members of Congress, is its optimistic and guilt-driven worldview. As long as the negotiations continue, Israel should keep doing everything it can to prevent a bad deal with Iran. But if in spite of its efforts a bad deal is signed, then: Israel should multiply its intelligence attempts to know what is happening in Iran, so that it may sound the alarm; it should accelerate its efforts to develop the military capability to defend itself if necessary; and it should find ways to form a regional alliance determined to block Iranian attempts to translate its achievements in the nuclear realm into greater regional influence, even without developing a weapon. If a deal is not reached, Israel should intensify its consultations with the P5+1 to make sure that they are ready to accelerate the pressure on Iran to make it accept a deal that is better than the one proposed at this point. Under no circumstances should Israel accept understandings with the US, which limit its ability to decide by itself what kind of actions it may take to protect itself against the nuclear threats that may follow the deal. Israel’s Role in the Struggle over the Iranian Nuclear Project Yossi Kuperwasser INTRODUCTION This paper will examine Israel’s policy vis-à-vis the Iranian military nuclear program, the tools it employs to promote its goals, and its effect on the program, taking into consideration the policies of the other major players involved, primarily the United States and Iran. The paper will conclude with some recommendations for effective Israeli policy following the introduction of the Lausanne framework for a final deal, both up to the June 30 deadline for concluding the deal and following it, whether or not a deal is reached by that date. THE IRANIAN MILITARY NUCLEAR PROJECT AND THE NEGOTIATIONS OVER ITS FATE The Iranian military nuclear program was launched in 1988, following the end of the Iran-Iraq War. Its aim was to protect the Islamic Republic against external threats, and to enable it to fulfil its mission of spreading the rule of Islam, under Iranian Shi’ite leadership, in the Middle East and beyond, eventually changing the world order. This project was the most important endeavor undertaken by Islamic Republic of Iran, and as the years went by it became detrimental to the regime’s image. It is not surprising then that the Ayatollahs have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in it. Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser was chief of the research division in IDF Military Intelligence, and until recently, director general of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs. 10 ISRAEL’S ROLE I The program consists
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Examining 10 Warning Signs of Iran Nuclear Weapons
    International Committee In Search of Justice (ISJ) President: Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras Rue d’Arlon 63, B-1040 Brussels Belgium Tel : +32 2 400 1071 [email protected] www.isjcommittee.com EXAMINING 10 WARNING SIGNS OF IRAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT NOVEMBER 20,2014 Dr. Alejo Vidal Quadras, Former Vice‐President of European Parliament, Professor of Atomic and Nuclear Physics: “An objective, thoroughly researched report on the core issue of the nature of Iranian nuclear program and its status”. Bob Jospeh, Former US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Senior White House Security Council staff on weapons of mass destruction: “A critically important report at a critically important time”. John Bolton, former US Ambassador to the UN, former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security: "A timely and well document report with alarming findings on Iran's nuclear program." Contents Executive summary Chapter 1: SPND (organ in charge of weaponization) Chapter 2: Procurement of dual purpose equipment and its possible use for military dimensions of nuclear program Chapter 3: Secret enrichment of uranium Chapter 4: Enrichment using laser technology Chapter 5: High explosives tests and trigger mechanism Chapter 6: Neutron initiator Chapter 7: Manufacturing uranium metal (uranium hemisphere) Chapter 8: Hydro-dynamic tests and explosion vessels at Parchin site Chapter 9: Research on nuclear warhead Chapter 10: Key scientists and researchers engaged in possible military dimensions of nuclear program International Committee In Search of Justice (ISJ) was initially formed in 2008 as an informal group of EU parliamentarians to seek justice for the Iranian democratic opposition.
    [Show full text]
  • Examining 10 Warning Signs of Iran Nuclear Weapons Development
    International Committee In Search of Justice (ISJ) President: Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras Rue d’Arlon 63, B-1040 Brussels Belgium Tel : +32 2 400 1071 [email protected] www.isjcommittee.com EXAMINING 10 WARNING SIGNS OF IRAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT NOVEMBER 20,2014 Dr. Alejo Vidal Quadras, Former Vice‐President of European Parliament, Professor of Atomic and Nuclear Physics: “An objective, thoroughly researched report on the core issue of the nature of Iranian nuclear program and its status”. Bob Jospeh, Former US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Senior White House Security Council staff on weapons of mass destruction: “A critically important report at a critically important time”. John Bolton, former US Ambassador to the UN, former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security: "A timely and well document report with alarming findings on Iran's nuclear program." Contents Executive summary Chapter 1: SPND (organ in charge of weaponization) Chapter 2: Procurement of dual purpose equipment and its possible use for military dimensions of nuclear program Chapter 3: Secret enrichment of uranium Chapter 4: Enrichment using laser technology Chapter 5: High explosives tests and trigger mechanism Chapter 6: Neutron initiator Chapter 7: Manufacturing uranium metal (uranium hemisphere) Chapter 8: Hydro-dynamic tests and explosion vessels at Parchin site Chapter 9: Research on nuclear warhead Chapter 10: Key scientists and researchers engaged in possible military dimensions of nuclear program International Committee In Search of Justice (ISJ) was initially formed in 2008 as an informal group of EU parliamentarians to seek justice for the Iranian democratic opposition.
    [Show full text]
  • SPC: Iran Building Nuclear Capable Missiles
    Iran Building Nuclear Capable Missiles in Underground Secret Tunnels (SPC) (Monday, 21 November 2005) - Statement by Alireza Jafarzadeh President, Strategic Policy Consulting, Inc. National Press Club, Washington, DC Monday, 21 November 2005 Good Day Ladies and Gentlemen, It is with great pleasure that I thank the Iran Policy Committee and professor Raymond Tanter for inviting me to this panel on Iran’s nuclear weapons. I would like to also thank Mr. Paul Leventhal, the Founding President of the Nuclear Control Institute for his input to this event. On September 16, 2005, the Iran Policy Committee and the Nuclear Control Institute held a press conference in which I revealed the regime’s plans regarding the relationship between Iran’s nuclear weapons program and tunneling operations. Today, I am revealing information that goes well beyond the September presentation: The September focus was mainly on one area called Parchin; today, I have determined from my sources inside Iran, who have been proven accurate in the past, that the area in question not only includes Parchin but goes well beyond that location. The September presentation emphasized one particular tunnel critical to hiding nuclear facilities, today I focus on a series of interrelated tunnels and other underground locations that contain equipment for nuclear-warhead capable missiles under a military unit that deals with both nuclear weapons and missile development. I am also revealing details on the involvement of North Korea in hiding Iranian missile construction. Now let us turn to the issue of what was a secret and strategic location where the Tehran regime is building nuclear- warhead capable missiles.
    [Show full text]
  • National Council of Resistance of Iran
    National Council of Resistance of Iran US Representative Office 1747 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 1125, Washington, DC 20006; Tel: 202-747-7847; Fax 202-330-5346; [email protected]; twitter: @ncrius ________________________________________________________________________________ APRIL 21, 2017 Even after the JCPOA, Activities Still in Motion at SPND, Responsible for Manufacturing a Nuclear Weapon Revelations about Parchin Research Academy, the new main location for “Center for Research and Expansion of Technologies on Explosions and Impact (METFAZ)” Reliable information obtained by the network of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) inside the country shows that the “nerve center” of the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons project, responsible for designing the bomb, has been continuing its work. Following the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the nuclear deal reached in 2015, not only has the unit remained in place and its activities have not subsided, but it is now clear that in some fields its activities have even expanded. In this information, a new location tied to the nuclear weapons project, which has been kept a secret until now and away from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors has been exposed. Situation of the engineering unit for nuclear weapons The engineering unit for nuclear weapons program inside the Iranian regime is called the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (Sazman-e Pazhouheshhaye Novin-e Defa’i), known by its Persian acronym SPND. The organization is comprised of 7 subdivisions, each of which carrying out a certain portion of nuclear weapons research. Following several months of focused investigations and research conducted from inside the clerical regime including from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the Defense Ministry, and SPND and following the compilation of reports on all the seven subdivisions of SPND, it has been determined that all of SPND’s subdivisions continue their work on the same 1 scale as prior to the 2015 nuclear deal.
    [Show full text]
  • Nuclear Iran a GLOSSARY
    Nuclear Iran A GLOSSARY SIMON HENDERSON and OLLI HEINONEN Revised and Updated March 2015 A copublication of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy & Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs BONAB MOALLEM KALAYEH KARAJ TEHRAN Nuclear research AEOI training center Agricultural and Kalaye Electric; center Medical Center Sharif U of Tech; Tehran Research TURKMENISTAN Reactor Astara FORDOW Tabriz Ardebil Fuel enrichment plant Orumiyeh Bojnurd Bonab Mahabad Moallem NATANZ Zanjan Kalayeh Pilot fuel enrichment Gorgan Sari Sarakhs plant; fuel enrichment Qazvin Shahrud Mashhad plant Karaj Lashkar-Abad TEHRAN IRAQ Sanandaj Semnan Hamadan ISFAHAN Qom Nuclear technology ctr; LASHKAR-ABAD uranium conversion Laser enrichment Arak facility; fuel mfg plant R&D facility Kashan IRAN (dismantled) Khorramabad Natanz Birjand SAGHAND Isfahan Uranium mine Dezful ARAK (Khonab) Saghand IR-40 heavy-water Shahr-e Kord reactor/heavy-water production plant Yazd Bafq Ahvaz GCHINE Darkovin Uranium mine Yasuj and mill Khorrmshahr Ardakan DARKOVIN Abadan Kerman 360 MW light-water AFGHANISTAN reactor (planned) Shiraz Sirjan Zahedan KUWAIT PAKISTAN Bandar-e Bushehr ARDAKAN Uranium mill Kangan Bazman Bandar-e Abbas Gchine BUSHEHR Light-water reactor 1000MW BAHRAIN Bandar-e Lengeh Jask R SHIRAZ Bandar Beheshti Fars Research Reactor QATA 10MW pool type (planned) SAUDI ARABIA UAE OMAN ©2015 The Washington Institute for Near East Policy Map: Nuclear installations in Iran. Nuclear Iran A GLOSSARY SIMON HENDERSON and OLLI HEINONEN Revised and Updated March 2015 TITUTE FO NS R N I E N A A COPUBLICATION WITH O R T G E A N I S H T HARVARD Kennedy School S P A O L W I C E ELFER ENTER Y H B C T for Science and International Affairs 3 0 ng years stro n n n The authors extend special thanks to Mary Kalbach Horan and her editorial team at The Washington Institute.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran with Nuclear Weapons
    The Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, Inc. (IFPA), now in its thirty-third year, provides innovative ideas and assesses options and strategies to meet the security challenges/threats of the post 9/11 era. IFPA conducts studies, workshops, and conferences on national security and foreign policy issues and produces innovative reports, briefings, and publications. IFPA’s products and services help government policy- makers, military and industry leaders, and the broader public policy communities make informed decisions in a complex and dynamic global environment. With core staff offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., the Institute maintains a global network of research advisors and consultants. Dr. Jacquelyn K. Davis Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr. September 2008 TABLE OF CONTENts Executive Summary i Introduction 1 Chapter 1: The Deterrence Dynamics of an Iran with Nuclear Weapons 5 Does the Nature of the Regime Matter? 13 Model 1: A Defensive Iran 14 Model 2: An Aggressive Iran 18 Model 3: An Unstable Iran 22 Chapter 2: Considerations Influencing Decision-Making about Iran’s Nuclear Posture 25 A Defensive Iran’s Nuclear Posture, Doctrinal Priorities, and Force Posture 30 An Aggressive Iran That Flexes Its Muscles 34 An Unstable Iran and the Potential Need to Deter Rogue Elements and Non-State Organizations 36 Chapter 3: Nuclear Weapons Operationalization 39 Model 1: A Defensive Deterrent. 45 Model 2: An Offensive Deterrent for an Aggressive Iran 47 Model 3: An Unstable Iran and the Need to Deter Regime or Rogue Elements 50 Chapter 4: Implications for U.S. Strategic and Operational Planning 54 Iran as Catalyst for a New Deterrence Dynamic among Nuclear States 58 Israel and the Challenge of Catalytic Warfare 63 Of Dyads, Triads, and the Need for a New Deterrence Paradigm Relating to a Nuclear Iran 66 Chapter 5: Updating U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Breaking up and Reorienting Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program
    INSTITUTE FOR SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY REPORT Breaking Up and Reorienting Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program Iran’s Nuclear Archive Shows the 2003 Restructuring of its Nuclear Weapons Program, then called the AMAD Program, into Covert and Overt Parts By David Albright, Olli Heinonen,1 and Andrea Stricker October 29, 2018 New documentation seized by Israel from the Iranian “Nuclear Archive”2 shows that in mid- 2003, Iran was making decisions about how to decentralize and disperse the elements of its nuclear weaponization program, the AMAD program and its subsidiary Project 110, which included nuclear warhead development. The archive3 shows that the AMAD program intended to build five nuclear warhead systems for missile delivery and possible use in preparation for an underground nuclear test;4 an actual test would require a decision to proceed. The program was also partially designed to have its own independent uranium mining, conversion, and enrichment resources. The documentation indicates that Iran’s nuclear weaponization efforts did not stop after 2003, following a so-called “halt order.” To conduct this assessment of the evolution of Iran’s nuclear weapons program, the Institute obtained vital archive documentation from the media and during interviews with senior Israeli intelligence officials familiar with the archive. In this report, we assess and compare new information with other public documents and information. The archive documentation shows that rather than halting its nuclear weaponization work, Iran was carrying out an elaborate effort to break the AMAD program into covert and overt parts, where the overt parts would be centered at research institutes and universities, and any effort that could not be plausibly denied as civilian in nature was left as a covert activity.
    [Show full text]
  • National Council of Resistance of Iran
    National Council of Resistance of Iran US Representative Office 1747 Pen·nsylvariia Ave., NW, Suite 1125, Washington, DC 20006; Tel: 202-747-7847; Fax 202-330-5346; [email protected]; twitter: @ncrius NCRI-US: Iranian Resistance Builds Case for Terror Listing of Revolutionary Guards February 15, 2017 The U.S. Representative Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran [NCRI-US) held a press conference t_o sh"are details of the Islamic Revolution·ary Guard Corps' (IRGC) terrorist training bases in Iran. Alireza Jafarzadeh, Dep.uty D.i.rector of th:e NCRI-US, explained that the intelligence had come from the NCRJ's lllain con:Stitu,ent group, the Peopl.e's Moja:hedin Organization of Iran (MEK), which had previously exp<ise:<J key information abou_t Iran's i(ucleai weapon program. Click here to watch the press conference. •. The unearthed. informati.on c:On<:e.tning the traini.ng facilities indicates a rise of recruitment of foreign nationals, an expap.s.i,on that bas be:O,n explicitly endorse:<J by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Current!)', the Quds Force, an operation d.ivisi,on of ll)e I.RGC, is designated by the US Govemment urider executive z order 13224 as an en~ty engaged jn te.rrorisin, b_ut the IRGC itself is not. The NCR! pointe.d out that there i~ ~ c!i.stin:C.ti0Q be.tween. the I_RGC and the Quds ForC:e, either in organization and operations, the Iranian constittllilln or ...._ nationjtl budget. E g 5' f_f)...... Jafarzadeh showed maps and details, inclu(!ing cornrn;md.e,s' na.mes, of 14 terrorist training ceritei's in Iran.
    [Show full text]
  • The Iran Nuclear Archive: Impressions and Implications
    BELFER CENTER REPORT The Iran Nuclear Archive: Impressions and Implications Aaron Arnold Matthew Bunn Caitlin Chase Steven E. Miller Rolf Mowatt-Larssen William H. Tobey REPORT APRIL 2019 Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Harvard Kennedy School 79 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138 www.belfercenter.org Statements and views expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not imply endorsement by Harvard University, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Layout by Jacob Carozza Cover photo: The nuclear archive warehouse outside Tehran (satellite image via Google). Copyright 2019, President and Fellows of Harvard College Printed in the United States of America BELFER CENTER REPORT The Iran Nuclear Archive: Impressions and Implications Aaron Arnold Matthew Bunn Caitlin Chase Steven E. Miller Rolf Mowatt-Larssen William H. Tobey REPORT APRIL 2019 About the Authors Aaron Arnold is a Research Fellow with the Project on Managing Atom at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. His current work focuses on the implementation and enforcement of trade controls for pre- venting WMD proliferation. Prior to his current position, he worked as a nonproliferation and counterproliferation subject matter expert at the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Justice Department, where he specialized in threat finance and sanctions evasion. Aaron holds a PhD and MPP in public policy and national security from George Mason University and a BA in international relations from Virginia Tech. Matthew Bunn is a Professor of Practice at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Gov ernment, and the faculty leader of the Project on Managing the Atom.
    [Show full text]
  • Israel: Possible Military Strike Against Iran's Nuclear Facilities
    Israel: Possible Military Strike Against Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Jim Zanotti, Coordinator Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Jeremiah Gertler Specialist in Military Aviation Steven A. Hildreth Specialist in Missile Defense September 28, 2012 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42443 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Israel: Possible Military Strike Against Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Summary Several published reports indicate that top Israeli decisionmakers are seriously considering whether to order a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and if so, when. Twice in Israel’s history, it has conducted air strikes aimed at halting or delaying what Israeli policymakers believed to be efforts to acquire nuclear weapons by a Middle Eastern state—destroying Iraq’s Osirak reactor in 1981 and a facility the Israelis identified as a reactor under construction in Syria in 2007. Today, Israeli officials generally view the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran as an unacceptable threat to Israeli security—with some describing it as an existential threat. This report analyzes key factors that may influence Israeli political decisions relating to a possible strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. These include, but are not limited to, the views of and relationships among Israeli leaders; the views of the Israeli public; U.S., regional, and international stances and responses as perceived and anticipated by Israel; Israeli estimates of the potential effectiveness and risks of a possible strike; and responses Israeli leaders anticipate from Iran and Iranian-allied actors—including Hezbollah and Hamas—regionally and internationally.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran's Nuclear Program and International
    IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND INTERNATIONAL LAW IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND INTERNATIONAL LAW From Confrontation to Accord Daniel H. Joyner 1 1 Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press in the UK and certain other countries. Published in the United States of America by Oxford University Press 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States of America. © Oxford University Press 2016 First Edition published in 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, by license, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reproduction rights organization. Inquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above. You must not circulate this work in any other form and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Joyner, Daniel, author. Title: Iran’s nuclear program and international law : from confrontation to accord / Daniel H. Joyner. Description: First edition. | New York : Oxford University Press, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2016011939| ISBN 9780199377893 ((hardback) : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780190635718 ((pbk.) : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Nuclear nonproliferation—Iran. Classification: LCC KZ5770 .J698 2016 | DDC 341.7/340955—dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016011939 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2 Paperback printed by WebCom, Inc., Canada Hardback printed by Bridgeport National Bindery, Inc., United States of America Note to Readers This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran Sanctions
    Iran Sanctions Updated April 6, 2021 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RS20871 SUMMARY RS20871 Iran Sanctions April 6, 2021 Successive Administrations and Congresses have used economic sanctions to try to change Iran’s behavior. U.S. sanctions on Iran—primarily “secondary sanctions” on Kenneth Katzman firms that conduct certain transactions with Iran—have adversely affected Iran’s Specialist in Middle economy but have arguably not, to date, altered Iran’s pursuit of core strategic Eastern Affairs objectives including its support for regional armed factions and its development of missiles. Sanctions did contribute to Iran’s decision to enter into a 2015 agreement that put limits on its nuclear program— the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). During 2011-2015, in implementation of deliberate U.S. policy, global economic sanctions contributed to the shrinking of Iran’s economy as its crude oil exports fell by more than 50% and it could not access its foreign exchange assets abroad. Upon Iran’s implementation of nuclear program restrictions stipulated by the JCPOA, the Obama Administration eased the relevant sanctions and U.N. and European Union sanctions were lifted as well. Remaining in place were U.S. sanctions on direct trade with Iran and on Iran’s support for regional armed factions, its human rights abuses, and on its efforts to acquire missile and advanced conventional weapons technology. U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, kept in place an existing ban on its importation or exportation of arms (which expired on October 18, 2020) and a nonbinding restriction on Iran’s development of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles (until October 18, 2023).
    [Show full text]