The Thin Red Line: Six Observations on President Obama's Iran Policy

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The Thin Red Line: Six Observations on President Obama's Iran Policy

IN THIS ISSUE: Six observations on Obama's Iran policy, India to set up 20 nuclear reactors, DoD responds to questions on nuclear targeting, panel lays bare Fukushima recipe for disaster, U.S. faces dilemma on nuke treaties, U.S. forces manning radar defense site in Turkey.

Published on February 28, 2012

In This Issue

The Thin Red Line: Six Observations on Obama's Iran Policy
Proliferation Analysis

India to Set Up 20 Nuclear Reactors
Deccan Herald

DoD Responds to Questions on Nuclear Targeting
Federation of American Scientists

Panel Lays Bare Fukushima Recipe for Disaster
Japan Times

U.S. Faces Dilemma on Nuclear Treaties
National

U.S. Forces Manning Radar Defense Site in Turkey
Today's Zaman

The Thin Red Line: Six Observations on Obama's Iran Policy

Jaclyn Tandler | Proliferation Analysis

With the Iranian nuclear crisis nearing a watershed, the question of the Obama administration's "red lines" on Iran's nuclear program is the subject of considerable speculation and debate.

While the details of the policy are classified, a close reading of statements by senior officials from press conferences, interviews, congressional hearings, and formal speeches conveys the administration's public efforts to delineate what level of nuclear activity or other moves by Iran would prompt the United States to take more decisive action, most prominently the use of overt force.

These are mostly carefully crafted statements intended to simultaneously deter Iran and reassure U.S. allies, while avoiding unnecessary or at least premature escalation. Full Article

Related:
U.S. Considers New Message on Iran (Wall Street Journal)

Follow the Nuclear Policy Program

More from Proliferation News

Related

India's Nuclear Plans Losing Steam (Power Engineering )

India to Set Up 20 Nuclear Reactors

Syed Akbar | Deccan Herald

In a major boost to nuclear energy in the country, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited plans to set up 20 nuclear reactors in different states. Full Article

DoD Responds to Questions on Nuclear Targeting

Steven Aftergood | Federation of American Scientists

Are U.S. nuclear forces on "hair trigger" alert? Not exactly, a Department of Defense official told Congress recently. "Although it is true that portions of the U.S. nuclear triad are capable of rapid execution upon authorization from the President." Full Article

Panel Lays Bare Fukushima Recipe for Disaster

Jun Hongo | Japan Times

The Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant crisis was caused by Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s lack of preparation for huge tsunami and exacerbated by conflicting levels of authority and downright "distrust and meddling" by high-ranking officials. Full Article

U.S. Faces Dilemma on Nuclear Treaties

April Yee | National

It was to be the gold standard: a promise from the UAE to the US that the Emirates would not enrich or reprocess nuclear fuel, a shining example in the Middle East of non-proliferation and international cooperation. Full Article

U.S. Forces Manning Radar Defense Site in Turkey

Today's Zaman

American forces are now manning a new radar defense site in Turkey that could help defend Europe from a potential Iranian ballistic missile attack, the US Army's commander in Europe said Sunday. Full Article

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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