CFR.org - Proliferation

Statement of Principles, Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:41:50 -0500

The 2009 Statement of Principles of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism are, according the U.S. Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, "a set of broad nuclear security goals that encompass a range of deterrence, detection, prevention, and response objectives. The eight principles contained within the SOP aim to develop partnership capacity to combat nuclear terrorism, consistent with national legal authorities and obligations as well as relevant international legal frameworks such as the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, and United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1373 and 1540".

A Third Option for Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:55:59 -0500

The extraordinary risks posed by a nuclear-armed Iran require Washington and its partners to step up activity on economic sanctions and diplomacy, even while preparing military options, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.

Answering Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:46:35 -0500

Richard N. Haass argues that Iran's nuclear program may be the most important international issue in 2012.

Limits of EU's Iranian Oil Embargo

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:07:55 -0500

The European Union's embargo on Iranian oil may bring Iran to the negotiating table but is unlikely to halt its controversial nuclear program, says CFR's Matthew Kroenig.

Can Sanctions Bring Iran to the Table?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:13:03 -0500

The EU's oil embargo is part of a larger Western effort to pressure Iran to reengage over its disputed nuclear program, but some debate the merits of intensified diplomacy with the regime in Tehran.

Recent Events in Iran and the Progress of Its Nuclear Program

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:06:08 -0500

CFR Senior Fellows Ray Takeyh and Matthew Kroenig discuss the escalating tension with Iran and the challenges it poses for US strategy in this Council on Foreign Relations Special Briefing.

Think Before Acting on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:33:48 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb discusses the need to examine the rationale for, and potential consequences of, going to war with Iran.

How the West Should Answer Iran’s Nuclear Aggression

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:16:16 -0500

Ray Takeyh says Iran's recent aggression is based on Tehran diligently pursuing a three-track policy that involves provocation of the international community and making noises about diplomacy as it relentlessly marches toward the bomb.

The Iran Deterrence Debate

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:09:29 -0500

The latest revelations over Iran's uranium enrichment activities have triggered debate over a slew of policy options from more sanctions to preventive strikes.

Tough Talk on Iran from GOP Candidates

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:22:33 -0500

Micah Zenko and Emma Welch argue that while the Republican presidential candidates overwhelmingly describe the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapons capability as "unacceptable" and endorse the use of military force if that were necessary to prevent an Iranian bomb, there is a complete absence of any details on how the use of force could accomplish this ambitious objective.

United States Condemns Iran's Announcement on Qom Facility, January 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:42:41 -0500

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave this statement on January 10, 2012 regarding Iran's enrichment program at the Qom facility.

Campaign 2012: The Candidates on Nuclear Proliferation

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:16:26 -0500

Among Republican presidential candidates, the issue of nuclear proliferation has centered on Iran's ambitions, while President Obama kicked off his presidency with high-profile nuclear initiatives.

Persian Gulf Storm Clouds

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:17:19 -0500

Sanctions over Iran's nuclear program have triggered threats involving the strategic Strait of Hormuz and new debate over the methods chosen to pressure Tehran.

Iran Won't Close the Strait of Hormuz

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:40:43 -0500

Captain Bradley S. Russell, USN and Max Boot argue that Iran must realize that by initiating direct hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz, it risks American retaliation against their covert nuclear-weapons program.

Seize the Moment in North Korea

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:24:06 -0500

Paul B. Stares argues that in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death, rather than wait for signs out of Pyongyang, the United States should now signal its interest in developing a more productive relationship with North Korea.

End-of-a-Lifetime Chance

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:20:51 -0500

Scott A. Snyder asks, "What are the prospects for a unified, nuclear-free Korea?"

Deciphering North Korea's Transition

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:26:49 -0500

Following the death of leader Kim Jong-il, the transition of power in North Korea could see Pyongyang engaging in further provocative activities, says CFR's Paul Stares.

Kim's Death Brings Fears of North Korea Hot Potato

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:04:05 -0500

Scott A. Snyder discusses the implications of Kim Jong-Il's death.

North Korea After Kim

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:44:05 -0500

Kim Jong-il's death has prompted discussion about the future of the isolated country and its nuclear weapons program. Experts cited in this CFR Backgrounder believe a post-Kim regime in North Korea would remain a tough nuclear negotiator.

Unfinished Business

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:19:11 -0500

Frank G. Klotz, Susan J. Koch, and Franklin C. Miller argue that as the United States and Russia continue to reduce long-range, strategic nuclear weapons to increasingly lower levels, a disparity in tactical nuclear weapons has serious implications for the overall nuclear balance between the two countries and the continued efficacy of the U.S. nuclear umbrella for its allies.

Why Iran Remains Defiant on the Nuclear Bomb

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:10:15 -0500

Ray Takeyh says Iran's rulers view possession of a nuclear bomb as a means to return to the international fold on their own terms.

The Self-Limiting Success of Iran Sanctions

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:54:31 -0500

Ray Takeyh and Suzanne Maloney say that despite decades of struggling under punitive financial measures, Iran has persisted with its objectionable policies, ranging from terrorism to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Clinton's Remarks at the 7th Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Review Conference, December 2011

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:13:13 -0500

Secretary of State Clinton gave these remarks on December 7, 2011 at the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Review Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Iran Threat

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:57:40 -0500

Max Boot says the West is still failing to face up to the growing threat from the Islamic Republic.

The Lengthening List of Iran Sanctions

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:17:12 -0500

Decades of economic and diplomatic sanctions have failed to substantively alter the actions of the Iranian regime, especially regarding its nuclear program. But experts say they remain an important tool to isolate and pressure Iran.

Iran's Nuclear Program

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:36:19 -0500

CFR fellows Matthew Kroenig, Elliot Abrams and Ray Takeyh discuss the findings of the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran's nuclear program.

A Troubling Shift in Iran's Nuclear Program

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:29:16 -0500

The UN nuclear agency's latest report contains no "gotcha" disclosures about Iran's nuclear capability but creates a clear impression of a weapons program in the works, says expert Mark Hibbs.

IAEA Iran Report Decoded

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:23:55 -0500

CFR's Matthew Kroenig discusses the newly released IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program.

An Iranian Nuclear Escalation?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:25:19 -0500

A UN report on Iranian efforts to obtain a nuclear device triggers new debate among analysts and policymakers over the appropriate U.S. and international response.

Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran, November 2011

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:45:19 -0500

The IAEA released this update of its report on Iran's nuclear activities on November 8, 2011. Among its findings: "The Agency has serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme. After assessing carefully and critically the extensive information available to it, the Agency finds the information to be, overall, credible. The information indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device. The information also indicates that prior to the end of 2003, these activities took place under a structured programme, and that some activities may still be ongoing."