How to deal with a nuclear Iran: Military action vs. deterrence

Much of the West argue the best way to deter Iran from gaining the capability of building a nuclear weapon. The fact that Iran’s President, Mahmūd Ahmadinejâd, denies the Holocaust ever happened and wants Israel taken off the map only complicates the matter.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) claims the country may already be working toward building nukes for military use.

So how does the West deal with a nuclear Iran? Military force? Deterrence?

It might surprise you how successful deterrence has already been in the 20th century in dealing with seemingly irrational governments and their possession of nuclear weapons. I leave you with this two part heated debate between CNN’s Fareed Zararia and Norman Podhoretz.

And finally, a much newer recording of Zakaria’s take on the Iran issue:

Also worth noting: Iran’s highest valued monetary note (50,000 rials) contains a nuclear symbol on the back side: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/5000Rials.JPG

See also: http://www.emilephaneuf.com/?p=141

Tags: Ahmadinejad, Fareed Zakaria, GPS, IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency, international relations, Iran, Middle East, Norman Podhoretz, nuclear weapon, sanctions, war with Iran