Monday, January 31, 2005

International Relations and Security Network ISN-Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and a nuclear Iran

"Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and a nuclear Iran
Both the Saudi monarchy and the Turkish republic would face a precarious dilemma in the face of a nuclear Iran arm-twisting for conciliatory benefits.
By Jonathan Feiser for PINR (31/01/05)

On 1 January, Iran at last codified that the Islamic republic would be holding presidential elections this summer. One of the major policy issues that will be affected by this election will be Iran's potential development and acquisition of nuclear weapons. A nuclear Iran - regardless of its intention - remains a clear and intrinsic threat both to the US and its regional interests and allies. If Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, then, from a strategic standpoint, a 'best case' scenario for US interests would be an Iran that retains a defensive stance and does not seek to expand its influence in the region. That being said, even defensive tactics can be affected in a world where states possess variable and often wildly differing notions of national security interests. Because of this, Washington is working to take preventive measures to slow Iran's quest for power. "

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