If Iran Gets the Bomb: Shaping Weapons Choices, Force Posture, and Strategy
Although the Unites States and its allies may yet dissuade Iran from getting the bomb, policymakers need to consider the kind of force that it might build if it succeeds in crossing the nuclear threshold. Thus, Iran could "Go Small," creating a minimum deterrent, it could "Go Big" creating a force commensurate to the regime's grandiose ambitions, or it could create something in between. Each of these would entail trade-off that could affect the security, survivability, and credibility of the force. And each would create opportunities to shape Iran's nuclear decision-making, in order to bolster deterrence and strategic stability.
Mr. Michael Eisenstadt served for twenty-six years as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve before retiring in 2010. His military service included active-duty stints in Iraq with the United States Forces-Iraq headquarters (2010) and the Human Terrain System Assessment Team (2008); in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan with the U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC) for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (2008-2009); at U.S. Central Command headquarters and on the Joint Staff during Operation Enduring Freedom and the planning for Operation Iraqi Freedom (2001-2002); and in Turkey and Iraq during Operation Provide Comfort (1991). Mr. Eisenstadt earned an MA in Arab Studies from Georgetown University and a BA in political science from SUNY Binghamton and has traveled widely in the Middle East.
Technical Contact: Brad Roberts
Event Manager: Katie Thomas, thomas94 [at] llnl.gov (thomas94[at]llnl[dot]gov)
