Russia’s approach to the Middle East is at a turning point, as the changes associated with the Arab Spring continue to destabilize regimes and alliances and Iran appears to be moving ahead with its nuclear program in defiance of Russia and the West.
Despite Iran’s rhetoric, it is highly unlikely that the Ahmadinejad regime will close the Strait of Hormuz given the economic ramifications such a move would inflict on Iran's own economy.
Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, department supervisor at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, was killed in a car bomb explosion in Tehran that Iranian officials have already accused both the United States and Israel in playing a part in.
The cumulative impact of the nuclear developments that occurred in 2012, from the disaster in Fukushima to Iran's continuing nuclear program, will make the world's nuclear future more uncertain.
Tensions between Iran and the international community continue to rise over the country's nuclear program. Leaders on both sides should take appropriate steps to deescalate the crisis and set the stage for reengagement after the U.S. presidential election.
Increased U.S. and E.U. sanctions against Iran are pushing the Islamic Republic into a drastic economic situation as its political leadership further fractures between supporters and opponents of President Ahmadinejad.
Washington has imposed sanctions on Iran’s central bank that could drive the Iranian regime to choose between making meaningful compromises on its nuclear program or making the push to cross the nuclear finish line.
In years ahead, the Nuclear Suppliers Group will be challenged by a massive global trade increase in unlisted goods. That means that effective application of catch-all controls will be absolutely critical to halt proliferation.
Washington’s announcement of a massive arms deal with Saudi Arabia has further exacerbated tensions with Iran and has led Tehran to threaten to close the strategically important Straits of Hormuz.
An international commitment to keep weapons of mass destruction out of Saddam Hussein’s hands could have worked and led to a WMD enforcement mechanism for use not only in Iraq, but also in North Korea, Libya, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere.
















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