All Options on the Table

Matthew Kroenig is an Associate Professor and International Relations Field Chair in the Department of Government at Georgetown University and a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at The Atlantic Council. He is an expert on U.S. national security policy and strategy, international relations theory, nuclear deterrence, arms control, nuclear nonproliferation, Iran, and counterterrorism.Presented on October 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Klaus Computing Building, room 1116.Runtime: 68:55 minutesMatthew Kroenig discusses the security implications of a nuclear-armed Iran. While making it clear that he does not advocate war, he claims that all signs point to the Islamic Republic’s interest in the bomb and that time is rapidly elapsing for an effective negotiated or even credible preemptive strike. He argues that on balance the “costs” and challenges of a preemptive strike would prove to be less than those associated with attempting to contain a nuclear armed Iran. The latter scenario, for example, would further destabilize the Middle East, encourage arms racing, and significantly increase the odds of a regional nuclear conflict. Given these high stakes, Kroenig advocates that U.S. policymakers keep the option of preemptive military strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure on the table