Carah Ong
IRAN POLICY ANALYST
202-546-0795
cong AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
Ong blogs at Iran Nuclear Watch
Carah Ong is the Iran Policy Analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation where her work focuses on Iran, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and the greater Middle East.
Since 1999, Ong has worked for non-governmental organizations on nuclear disarmament, arms control, nuclear energy and waste, and missile defense issues. In June 2004, she was a member of the first delegation of twelve Americans to visit Libya to promote establishing relations with the Libyan government and civil society after the U.S. lifted sanctions that had been in place for more than three decades. In February 2007, Ong spoke at and participated in the first international conference on French nuclear testing in Algeria and toured the French test site at In Ecker in the Sahara Desert.
Ong has published numerous articles and briefings on nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, and missile defense issues and has spoken all across the U.S. and around the world on these issues. She is the co-editor of two books, A Maginot Line in the Sky: International Perspectives on Ballistic Missile Defense (2001) and Hold Hope, Wage Peace (2005). She currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Alsos Digital Library on Nuclear Issues at Washington and Lee University and is a consultant to the Peace and Security Funders Group.
Ong holds a B.A. in Spanish and Global Peace and Security from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She speaks Spanish.
RECENT ARTICLES BY ONG
Apr 30, 2008 Time for a Diplomatic Surge with Iran
In the wake of congressional hearings featuring Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker, it seems clear that Washington has focused its attention on a new nemesis: Iran. However, instead of demonizing Iran, the United States should focus on a diplomatic surge that includes direct, comprehensive, and unconditional talks not only on Iraq, but also on the range of outstanding issues between the two countries.
Apr 22, 2008 American-Iranian Relations: A Code of Conduct and Guide for Action
This short document outlines the principles that should govern U.S. policy toward Iran in the months ahead.
Apr 22, 2008 An Exercise in Futility: State Department 'Democracy Promotion' Funding for Iran
The State Department says the purpose of its so-called "democracy promotion" fund in Iran is to support programs that assist those inside Iran who desire basic civil liberties. On the surface this seems like a noble goal. However, the program is universally rejected by its intended recipients in Iran because it has undermined their work for democracy and reform.
Jan 4, 2008 Congress and Iran: 2007 Review and 2008 Outlook
Congress devoted much attention to Iran in 2007, but by and large, it focused its efforts on hyping the threat from Iran. Growing concern over a potential conflict, however, led many members to introduce resolutions that would reinforce Congressional war-making authority.
Dec 12, 2007 Divestment: The Wrong Answer for Dealing with Iran
This resource outlines some of the main reasons why divestment is not an effective long-term U.S. strategy for dealing with Iran's nuclear program.
Dec 11, 2007 Iran Policy in the FY2008 Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 1585) Conference Agreement
On December 6, 2007, House and Senate conferees agreed on the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization bill. Some important Iran policy language was included in the conference report.
Dec 4, 2007 Diplomacy with Iran: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Don't be diverted by the Bush administration and the Iran hawks who are now on the defensive with their "neck-snapping spin." Responses from Congress and around the world indicate that direct U.S. diplomacy with Iran is an idea whose time has come.
Dec 4, 2007 New Intelligence Estimate on Iran Shows Options Beyond 'War Versus Capitulation'
With the right mixture of diplomatic tools, the National Intelligence Estimate presents an opportunity to break the deadlock for resolving the challenge of Iran's nuclear program without reducing ourselves to the false choice of war or capitulation.
Nov 23, 2007 War Is Peace, Sanctions Are Diplomacy
In this comprehensive analysis, Iran expert Carah Ong explains how sanctions against Iran are punitive measures, not serious diplomacy, and how the Bush administration has never undertaken a sustained diplomatic initiative aimed either at inducing Iran to cease enriching uranium or at soothing broader US-Iranian tensions. The Bush administration's persistent refusal to take military options "off the table," combined with its intensified rhetoric against Iran, has made sanctions palatable to allies but not alleviated the political disputes that keep the US and Iran on a collision course.
Aug 9, 2007 Backgrounder on Proposed U.S. Arms Sale to the Middle East
In July, it was announced that the United States plans to sell at least $20 billion in advanced weapons to Saudi Arabia and its neighbors in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
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