The U.S. Department of State released this factsheet on "Maintaining the U.S. Nuclear Stockpile in the Absence of Nuclear Explosive Testing" on September 26, 2012.
Though Iran might be capable of making a nuclear weapon soon, whether it has decided to is up for debate and calls into question the pressure for immediate military action, says expert David Albright.
Ray Takeyh argues, "The United States will make genuine progress with Iran only when moderate leaders assume greater control of the state. An interim accord may provide time, but that time must be used to broaden the contours of Iran's political system."
A nuclear-armed Iran would not make the Middle East more secure, argues Colin Kahl; it would yield more terrorism and pose a risk of a nuclear exchange.
Robert D. Blackwill, CFR's Henry A. Kissinger senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy, discusses the issues and contingencies surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
Foreign policy has not played a major role in the presidential campaign so far, but a close race could make it a factor in courting "the moveable middle," says CFR's James Lindsay.
Authors: Stanford Clinic and New York University Clinic
This report from the International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic of Stanford Law School and the Global Justice Clinic and New York University School of Law studies the extent to which drone strikes in Pakistan have conformed to international law and caused harm or injury to civilians.
While a nuclear-armed Iran presents "a terrible outcome strategically," a U.S. or Israeli military attack carries unforeseeable risks, says CFR President Richard Haass.
This week's latest round of Iran talks seems to have done little to reconcile the two sides on the country's nuclear position, says CFR's Michael A. Levi.
U.S. and Israeli officials have declared that a nuclear-armed Iran is a uniquely terrifying prospect, even an existential threat. In fact, by creating a more durable balance of military power in the Middle East, a nuclear Iran would yield more stability, not less.
This week's nuclear talks ended without resolving the issue of uranium enrichment, leaving Iran to potentially face tougher sanctions, says CFR's Ray Takeyh.
Ray Takeyh says that as part of any realistic diplomatic agreement with Iran, the United States and its allies must impose serious curbs on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
A panel discussion marking the release of CFR's new ebook, Iran: The Nuclear Challenge. The essays in this volume, all authored by fellows in CFR's David Rockefeller Studies Program and edited by Robert Blackwill, inform readers on how, not what, to think about Iran's nuclear activities.
A panel discussion marking the release of CFR's new ebook, Iran: The Nuclear Challenge. The essays in this volume, all authored by fellows in CFR's David Rockefeller Studies Program and edited by Robert Blackwill, inform readers on how, not what, to think about Iran's nuclear activities.
The talks between Iranian and IAEA officials will focus on potential inspections at the Parchin military base, and the outcome will influence upcoming P5+1 nuclear talks with Iran in Moscow, says CFR's Michael Levi.
Seven CFR scholars come together to map the objectives, tools, and strategies for dealing with one of the most vexing problems facing the United States and the world today.
Nuclear talks with Iran are unlikely to lead to a deal in the short term, but they have had some impact: easing tensions and calming oil markets, says CFR's Richard Falkenrath.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) discusses his points of views on current events, such as the situation in Syria, the Arab Spring and the current state of Affairs in Egypt, and Iran's nuclear weapons program and the debate over an Israeli military strike.
Global agreements aim to promote peaceful nuclear power while preventing the spread of materials, equipment, and technologies used to make nuclear weapons. CFR's research, meetings, interviews, backgrounders, and interactive content provide an essential source of analysis on these issues.
CFR Experts Guide
The Council on Foreign Relations' David Rockefeller Studies Program—CFR's "think tank"—is home to more than seventy full-time, adjunct, and visiting scholars and practitioners (called "fellows"). Their expertise covers the world's major regions as well as the critical issues shaping today's global agenda. Download the printable CFR Experts Guide.
The author analyzes the potentially serious consequences, both at home and abroad, of a lightly overseen drone program and makes recommendations for improving its governance.