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Articles and Reports
August 23, 2005
Earlier this month Bush administration officials leaked to the press what they said was a new official estimate of when Iran might be able to build a nuclear weapon. Speaking anonymously, they told reporters that American intelligence agencies now believe it would take at least 6 and maybe as many as 10 years before that fateful day arrives.
Whew...
Articles and Reports
July 22, 2005
In a news conference following his victory in June, Iranian president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promised to continue Iran's nuclear program, saying that the country needs "peaceful nuclear technology for energy, medical and agricultural purposes." This statement echoes comments by his reformist predecessor Mohammad Khatami, who often claimed that...
Articles and Reports
June 3, 2005
In May 25 in Geneva, Iran backed away from its threat to resume its uranium enrichment effort, which many countries believe will lead to a nuclear weapon. In return, Britain, France and Germany agreed not to ask the United Nations to punish Iran for its past nuclear violations. While the deal undoubtedly staved off a crisis, it did nothing to...
Speeches and Testimony
May 19, 2005
I will concentrate my remarks upon the present negotiations Iran is conducting with Britain, France and Germany.
First, I would like to point out that the deal struck among these countries in November should be seen as a tactical step. It was intended to buy time, and to provide an opening for continued talks. It should not be seen as a answer to...
Roundtables
April 13, 2005
Iran is very likely to acquire nuclear weapons if it chose to do so, according to a panel convened by the Wisconsin Project last year. The panel could not foresee any combination of events likely to alter Iran's apparent determination-and ability-to build such arms. This conclusion posed an obvious question: how will the United States and other...
Speeches and Testimony
March 10, 2005
As the Commission well knows, China's exports continue to be a serious proliferation threat. Since 1980, China has supplied billions of dollars' worth of nuclear weapon, chemical weapon, and missile technology to South Asia and the Middle East. It has done so in the face of U.S. protests, and despite repeated promises to stop. The exports are...
Articles and Reports
February 25, 2005
President Bush has enjoyed a surprisingly jovial reception in Europe this week, but there has been a serious point of contention: the desire of European countries to lift the 15-year ban on arms sales to China. Given concerns that the Chinese are willing to sell military, and perhaps even nuclear, technology to the highest bidder, Mr. Bush's...
Articles and Reports
February 16, 2005
"What will stop Iran from getting the bomb?" Iran Watch posed this timely question recently to a group of experts convened for a roundtable discussion.(*) Their answer was distressing. They concluded that if the world continues down its present path, Iran is likely to succeed in its nuclear weapon quest.
The experts ruled out any immediate action...
Articles and Reports
January 26, 2005
With the world's attention focused on Iran's nuclear progress-and what to do about it-scant consideration has been given to Iran's chemical weapon and ballistic missile programs. Combined, these pose a more imminent threat than Iran's nascent nuclear effort, and they reveal Iran's continued commitment to developing unconventional weapons. These...
Roundtables
November 19, 2004
It is widely believed that Iran has nuclear weapon ambitions, which it is trying to hide behind a civilian nuclear energy program. The question is whether Iran can be stopped from getting the bomb, given the indigenous capability it has already amassed. If so, which combination of policy tools-diplomacy, inspections, sanctions and the use of force...