RAND Research Topic: Nuclear Weapons and Warfare 2012-05-24T14:57:14Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/nuclear-weapons-and-warfare.html Iran's Buying Time&mdash;and That's Fine http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/05/22/FP.html May 22, 2012 May 22, 2012 Khamenei faces a critical choice in the months ahead: make a compromise to lessen tensions with the United States and the international community, or maintain a status quo that may set in motion the demise of his regime, writes Alireza Nader. How to Defuse Iran's Nuclear Threat: Bolster Diplomacy, Israeli Security, and the Iranian Citizenry http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/2012/spring/iran.html May 11, 2012 May 11, 2012 This <em>RAND Review</em> cover story recommends alternatives to military action that are more likely to dissuade Iran from producing, testing, and deploying nuclear weapons, while also promoting a more democratic and responsible Iranian regime. Obituary: Glenn A. Kent, National Security Strategist, Senior RAND Research Fellow http://www.rand.org/news/press/2012/04/26.html Apr 26, 2012 Apr 26, 2012 Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent, a strategist, analyst and teacher whose career spanned World War II, the Cold War and the post-Cold War eras, died April 25. Iran's Calculations in New Diplomatic Talks http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/04/17/USIP.html Apr 17, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 Beset by economic problems, political divisions, and domestic discontent, Iranian leaders may compromise&mdash;or appear to make compromises&mdash;to cushion the regime from the mounting internal and external pressures, writes Alireza Nader. Book by Noted Expert Proposes a Renaissance of Thought on Nuclear Deterrence for Today's Strategic Environment http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1103.html Apr 17, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 A new book by the late French scholar Th&eacute;r&egrave;se Delpech provides a critical review and update of nuclear deterrence theory, focusing a critical eye on nuclear issues during the Cold War, examining the lessons of past nuclear crises, and outlining ways in which these lessons apply to major nuclear powers and nuclear pretenders today. Book by Noted Expert Proposes a Renaissance of Thought on Nuclear Deterrence for Today's Strategic Environment http://www.rand.org/news/press/2012/04/17.html Apr 17, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 A new book by the late French scholar Th&eacute;r&egrave;se Delpech provides a critical review and update of nuclear deterrence theory, focusing a critical eye on nuclear issues during the Cold War, examining the lessons of past nuclear crises, and outlining ways in which these lessons apply to major nuclear powers and nuclear pretenders today. Will Khamenei Compromise? http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/04/02/ALMON.html Apr 2, 2012 Apr 2, 2012 For Khamenei, increasing US and Israeli concerns regarding the nuclear program may enhance its value as a deterrent and point of leverage in Iran's conflict with the US, making the nuclear program a major tool to be used against the US, rather than a prize to be bargained away, writes Alireza Nader. U.S. and Israel Need to Agree on Strike Against Iran http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/03/05/USNEWS.html Mar 5, 2012 Mar 5, 2012 Essential to any Israeli government decision to bomb Iran is confidence that whatever advice Washington might provide before the attack, the U.S. administration will feel bound to help Israel cope with the consequences of its action, writes James Dobbins. Khamenei: The Nuclear Decision-maker http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/02/23/PBS.html Feb 23, 2012 Feb 23, 2012 Many Iranians are increasingly concerned that the supreme leader is taking Iran down a dangerous path and is unwilling to turn back, whatever the pressures, writes Alireza Nader. Israel's Risky Option on Iran http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/02/21/LAT.html Feb 21, 2012 Feb 21, 2012 While a nuclear-armed Iran that hasn't been attacked is dangerous, one that has been attacked may be much more likely to brandish its capabilities, to make sure it does not face an attack again, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye. Is Regime Change in Iran the Only Solution? http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/01/26/FP.html Jan 26, 2012 Jan 26, 2012 The United States should not pursue sanctions with the intent of changing the regime, but to contain it in order to give Iranians a chance to effect change themselves, writes Alireza Nader. Do Israelis Really Want to Bomb Iran? http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/01/12/FP.html Jan 12, 2012 Jan 12, 2012 Much has been made over differences between the U.S. and Israeli threat perceptions of Iran, but in fact internal Israeli divisions suggest that the gap may not be as great as some suggest, writes Dalia Dassa Kaye. Iran's Self-Destructive Gamble http://www.rand.org/commentary/2012/01/06/IHT.html Jan 6, 2012 Jan 6, 2012 For all its bluster, the Iranian regime is more vulnerable than at any time in its 32-year history. Internally, Iran is constrained by deep political divisions, civil strife and a woeful economy, write Alireza Nader and James Dobbins. North Korea: Uncertain and Dangerous Times Ahead http://www.rand.org/commentary/2011/12/21/RAND.html Dec 21, 2011 Dec 21, 2011 With his father's support over the last year, Kim Jong-Un has tried to rapidly reshape the North Korean leadership structure, giving him many new subordinates who are untried and lacking experience. Some will clearly make mistakes, writes Bruce Bennett. Dissuading Iran from the Bomb and Avoiding War http://www.rand.org/commentary/2011/12/02/PSE.html Dec 2, 2011 Dec 2, 2011 By refusing to face more squarely the probability that Iran will eventually acquire a nuclear weapons capability, the American and Israeli governments actually reduce their ability to dissuade Iran from crossing that threshold, writes James Dobbins. U.S. Should Reexamine Policy Options for Dealing with an Iran on the Nuclear Threshold http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1154.html Nov 28, 2011 Nov 28, 2011 An attack on Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States or Israel would make it more, not less difficult to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. The sympathy aroused for Iran would make containment of Iranian influence much more difficult for Israel, for the U.S., and for the Arab regimes currently allied with Washington. U.S. Should Reexamine Policy Options for Dealing with an Iran on the Nuclear Threshold http://www.rand.org/news/press/2011/11/28.html Nov 28, 2011 Nov 28, 2011 An attack on Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States or Israel would make it more, not less difficult to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. The sympathy aroused for Iran would make containment of Iranian influence much more difficult for Israel, for the U.S., and for the Arab regimes currently allied with Washington. An Attack Would Only Strengthen Iran's Influence http://www.rand.org/commentary/2011/11/16/USNEWS.html Nov 16, 2011 Nov 16, 2011 Reaction to a strike against Iran among neighboring populations would be almost uniformly hostile. The sympathy thereby aroused for Iran would make containment of Iranian influence much more difficult for Israel, for the U.S., and for the Arab regimes currently allied with Washington, writes James Dobbins. Nuclear Deterrence in Europe: Russian Approaches to a New Environment and Implications for the United States http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1075.html Aug 18, 2011 Aug 18, 2011 Through a variety of policies and actions &mdash; and most recently in a new military doctrine adopted in February 2010 &mdash; Russia has indicated the types of situations and threats that might cause it to resort to using nuclear weapons. This volume examines Russia's evolving framework for nuclear deterrence and its implications for U.S. military operations in Europe. Sustaining the Air Force Nuclear Enterprise through Officer Workforce Planning http://www.rand.org/pubs/rgs_dissertations/RGSD278.html Jun 29, 2011 Jun 29, 2011 Examines how the United States Air Force can sustain sufficient nuclear skills and experience within the Air Force Nuclear Enterprise.