Iran Analysis Archive
On Point: Obama vs. McCain
With U.S. troops still in Iraq, rising tensions between the United States and Iran, and the looming threat of nuclear terrorism, foreign policy and arms control have once again taken center stage on the presidential campaign trail. In order to get a detailed picture of Barack Obama and John McCain’s positions, the Center has produced a series of analyses on arms control and national security issues in the 2008 presidential race.
Obama vs. McCain: Seven Areas of Agreement, and Six of Disagreement, on Nuclear Weapons
In a campaign that features back and forth on issues large and small, where Barack Obama and John McCain disagree on everything from taxes to offshore drilling to Social Security to Iraq, it is amazing how much agreement there is on nuclear weapons issues. As Executive Director John Isaacs told the Los Angeles Times on July 13, "We'll have major progress on nuclear issues no matter who is elected." In this short analysis, Isaacs lists seven areas of agreement, and six of disagreement, between Obama and McCain on nuclear weapons issues.
Iran Sanctions Bill Could Undermine Diplomacy
With pressure on both houses of Congress to pass legislation imposing more sanctions against Iran, and without key opposition from the oil lobby, the Iran Sanctions Act of 2008 could be passed yet in the Senate. But, according to Iran Policy Analyst Carah Ong, the act could harm diplomacy not only with Tehran, but also with Moscow, thanks to provisions that are opposed by the Bush administration as well as several senators. Read Ong's full analysis, published on Right Web on July 10, 2008.
Iran Can Be Deterred
In this letter to the editor of the Washington Times, Scoville Fellow Kingston Reif refutes arguments in favor of a U.S. missile defense system in Europe, including those claiming that it would protect Europe and the United States against an Iranian missile attack.
Is Iran Currently an Existential Threat to the United States? A Side-By-Side Comparison of Military Capabilities
Iran currently presents a number of serious problems for the United States. However, the current threat posed by Iran is exaggerated by conflating it with Iran's potential, but far from certain, acquisition of a nuclear weapon in the future. In this new analysis, the two countries' conventional military capabilities are compared side-by-side. The bottom line is clear: Iran does not currently represent an existential threat to the United States or its allies, and there is still time to find a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear program.
In a Nutshell: McCain vs. Obama on National Security
In this useful analysis, Executive Director John Isaacs compares and contrasts John McCain and Barack Obama's positions on Iraq, Iran, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and much more.
These Generals Are Real Heroes
This spring, the New York Times exposed a six-year-long Bush administration propaganda campaign using retired military officers to disseminate pro-Iraq war messages to the American public. In this op-ed published in the Asheville Citizen-Times on June 27, Outreach Coordinator Ashley Hoffman explains how the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is fighting back against the administration's spin through its own Military Outreach Program.
Video: Talks, Not War, with Iran
On June 10, the Center's Iran Policy Analyst Carah Ong coordinated a "Time to Talk to Iran" event and press conference on Capitol Hill for the Campaign for a New American Policy on Iran. Watch the video about the event produced by the Real News Network.
Analysis of Senate Armed Services Committee Action on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S 3001)
The Senate Armed Services Committee released its markup of S. 3001, the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill, on May 1, 2008. S. 3001, as reported to the full Senate by the Armed Services Committee, fully funds the administration's $612.5 billion FY2009 National Defense request. As part of this total, the Committee authorized $70 billion in additional funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Citizen Diplomacy: Event Highlights Need to Talk to Iran
On Tuesday, June 10, 2008, the Campaign for a New American Policy on Iran (CNAPI), a coalition of organizations including the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, and the Enough Fear Campaign organized an innovative “Time to Talk with Iran” event and press conference on Capitol Hill. The goal of the event was to advocate and show support for a diplomatic solution to the rising tensions between the United States and Iran.
Group Forms to Head Off War with Iran
"The current rumor here in Washington is that Bush will attack after the November elections so it won't hurt the Republican nominee politically. Many around him say he feels he has to do something before he leaves office," a campaign organizer, Carah Ong of the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, told the New York Sun. "Part of this is to raise the fact that a military attack is likely and it needs to be prevented."
Prominent Calls for Diplomacy with Iran
This collection of quotes highlights prominent calls by military officials, elected officials, and international civil society for diplomacy with Iran.
Obama vs. McCain: A Side-By-Side Comparison on Arms Control
This resource provides a side-by-side comparison of Barack Obama and John McCain on 15 key arms control issues.
McCain's Big Non-Proliferation Speech: Cheers, Jeers, and Questions
On May 27, Senator John McCain gave a major foreign policy address on nuclear non-proliferation. The Center's Director for Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Leonor Tomero, examines the good, the bad, and the ugly in this new analysis. Tomero cuts through the campaign rhetoric to offer a clear-eyed, expert assessment of McCain's non-proliferation proposals.
Iran's New Offer to the United Nations
What does Iran's recently submitted "Package for Constructive Negotiations" tell the UN and the international community? A full analysis here.
Analysis of House Armed Services Committee Action on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (HR 5658)
The House Armed Services Committee completed its markup of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill (HR 5658) on May 15, 2008. The marked up bill recommends an overall authorization level of $601.4 billion, the amount requested by the administration.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. Arms Sales Agreements with the Middle East, 1999-2006
The United States is far and away the leader in arms sales agreements with the Middle East. This analysis shows why.
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