Living on the Edge [electronic resource] : Iran and the Practice of Nuclear Hedging /
Bowen, Wyn.author.
Moran, Matthew.author.
Esfandiary, Dina.author.
In this book, the authors explore the controversial Iranian nuclear programme through the conceptual lens of nuclear hedging. In 2002, revelations regarding undeclared nuclear facilities thrust Iran’s nuclear activities under the spotlight and prompted concerns that Tehran was pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran has always denied nuclear weapons aspirations, yet it cannot be disputed that the Islamic Republic has gone well beyond what is required for a civil nuclear programme based on energy production and scientific research. What, then, is the nature and significance of Iran's nuclear behaviour? Does it form part of a coherent strategy? What can Iran's actions in the nuclear field tell us about Tehran's intentions? And what does the Iranian case teach us about proliferation behaviour more generally? This book addresses these questions by exploring the nature of nuclear hedging and how this approach might be identified, before applying this logic to the Iranian case. It provides fresh insights into the inherently opaque area of nuclear proliferation and a more nuanced interpretation of the Iranian nuclear challenge.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
About the Authors -- Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations and Acronyms -- Chronology of Events.-Introduction: Understanding Iranian Proliferation Behaviour -- Chapter 1: The Nature of Nuclear Hedging -- Chapter 2: Opaque Proliferation and Moves Towards Latency -- Chapter 3: Narrating a Nuclear Programme -- Chapter 4: Playing for Time? Iran’s Nuclear Diplomacy -- Chapter 5: Rouhani’s Redirection: The End of Iranian Hedging? -- Chapter 6: Living with nuclear hedging -- Conclusion: Latency With Intent -- Bibliography -- Annex 1: Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action -- Index.
In this book, the authors explore the controversial Iranian nuclear programme through the conceptual lens of nuclear hedging. In 2002, revelations regarding undeclared nuclear facilities thrust Iran’s nuclear activities under the spotlight and prompted concerns that Tehran was pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran has always denied nuclear weapons aspirations, yet it cannot be disputed that the Islamic Republic has gone well beyond what is required for a civil nuclear programme based on energy production and scientific research. What, then, is the nature and significance of Iran's nuclear behaviour? Does it form part of a coherent strategy? What can Iran's actions in the nuclear field tell us about Tehran's intentions? And what does the Iranian case teach us about proliferation behaviour more generally? This book addresses these questions by exploring the nature of nuclear hedging and how this approach might be identified, before applying this logic to the Iranian case. It provides fresh insights into the inherently opaque area of nuclear proliferation and a more nuanced interpretation of the Iranian nuclear challenge.
Politics and war.
Peace.
Middle East—Politics and government.
Military and Defence Studies.
Conflict Studies.
Peace Studies.
Middle Eastern Politics.