Author

Darren Gerke

Date of Graduation

Fall 2011

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Ilan Berman

Abstract

This thesis discusses the nuclear weapons program of the Islamic Republic of Iran and analyzes the American strategy intended to counter the military aspects of the program. Investigative reports from the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, are investigated, alongside official United States strategies, and public declarations by both sides. This thesis strives to analyze the nature of the American counterproliferation strategy being executed, to hypothesize the likely outcome of the strategy, and to explore possible alternative options that might better serve the interests of international security. This thesis concludes that the current efforts exerted by the United States to prevent Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons are inadequate and are in need of reformulation.

Keywords

counterproliferation, nonproliferation, proliferation, Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, nuclear weapons, atomic weapons, atomic bomb, weapons of mass destruction.

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Darren Gerke

Campus Only

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