The Iranian Triad: Forcing a Strategic Decision in Tehran

The acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran would instantly be the gravest threat of the young century; and time is running out to prevent radical hardliners in Tehran from attaining such capabilities. If the status quo is unchanged, the U.S. will soon be forced to choose between accepting a nuclear-armed Iran, and striking Iran's nuclear program militarily, potentially destabilizing the region. In order to avoid this exigent quandary, the U.S. must immediately orient to a policy of pressure maximization. By applying maximum pressure in three areas of Iranian vulnerability – economic, military, and political – the regime in Tehran, not the U.S., will ultimately be forced into a strategic decision: forego nuclear weapons or face political extinction.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Defense and Strategic Studies

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Miller, Brian Andrew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ilan Berman

• Iran
• nuclear weapons
• proliferation
• Middle East
• regime change
• Defense and Security Studies

Statement dc:rights

• © Brian Andrew Miller

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1447

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2448