Nuclear Reality in the Gulf: A Conversation with Anthony Cordesman

Editor’s Note:

Last month the United Nations approved a new round of sanctions against Iran in an effort to derail or inhibit its nuclear enrichment program. American diplomats worked for months to reach the point where 12 of 15 Security Council members would approve the measure, which President Obama called, “the toughest sanctions ever faced by the Iranian government.” However, there was little optimism the sanctions would achieve their intended purpose, getting Tehran to back down. Indeed, shortly after the vote Iran rejected the call to change course, as has been the case with the passage of three earlier sanctions measures.

The question of Iran’s nuclear program challenge to Gulf security is on the short list of topics for the U.S.-Saudi bilateral agenda. For an update on the Iranian nuclear issue and its impact on American and Saudi regional security interests we turned to Dr. Anthony H. Cordesman, the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at CSIS, a preeminent authority on Gulf affairs and a host of other critical national security questions.

In this SUSRIS exclusive interview with Cordesman we explored the state of the Iranian nuclear challenge, UN sanctions, Saudi perspectives, American courses of action and regional consequences. We also were treated to a preview of his new book on the strategic partnership with Iraq. We thank Dr. Cordesman for his prolific contributions to the dialogue on these critical issues and for spending time with SUSRIS to share them with you.