Fri 7th May - Nuclear Proliferation: Why Is Iran Different?

This week, Dan will introduce the very rich discussion about nuclear power and the case of Iran:

The west has been recently freaking out about the prospect of a nuclear Iran. The past few years have seen a number of new nuclear states (India, Pakistan, North Korea), which haven’t caused all the much concern. The US doesn’t seem to care that it’s ally Israel has a not-so-secret nuclear weapons program, and the US even signed a special nuclear cooperation agreement with India, even though they are not part of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. So why is Iran causing so much concern? What will happen if Iran gets the bomb?

Other questions: Do all countries have a moral right to get nuclear weapons? Can the west actually stop anyone who wants to get them? Should someone bomb their nuclear facilities? Will Iran nuke someone if they have the chance?

Background readings:

• An overview from the New York Times
• Discussion of whether a nuclear Iran is a problem
• Some arguments for bombing Iran

As usual we will meet in STICERD at 6pm this evening.