Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East: Directions and Policy Options in the New Century [Hardcover]

This vital book examines why states seek to gain Weapons of Mass Destruction, a crucial issue in developing strategies against proliferation. Leading experts examine specific countries and the interplay among political, economic, cultural and regional factors driving decisions whether to acquire WMD.SECTION I: REGIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL OVERVIEW Theoretical, Historical, and Policy Baseline; J.A.Russell Proliferation, Asymmetric War and the Contemporary Threat Environment; S.Blank SECTION II: REGIONAL PROLIFERATION PROBLEMS Israeli Threat Perceptions Following Operation Iraqi Freedom; A.Cohen A Nuclear Iran: Has the Train Left the Station?; R.Takeyh Syrian Threat Perceptions and Strategic Objectives; M.Jouejati Syria's WMD Programs: Priorities and Options; A.Hashim A.Q. Khan and the Emerging Supplier Network; C.Clary Saudi Arabia's Strategic Conundrum; J.A.Russell Nuclear Weapons: A New Saudi Security Calculus?; G.Segell Iraq and Libya: Nonproliferation through Regime Change or Change in a Regime?; R.Litwak Tracking Nuclear Issues in Open Sources:The Case of Libya, Pre- and Post-December 2003; W.Bowen SECTION III: REGIONAL POLICY SOLUTIONS Counter Proliferation vs. Nonproliferation in the Middle East after Saddam; M.Friend Demand Side Policy Options; M.Kraig Threat Reduction and the Middle East; R.Gottemoeller Conclusion; J.A.Russell

This is a marvelous in-depth examination of one of the most complicated and dangerous security issues facing the United States, its friends and allies, and potential opponents in this critical region. This book represents a major contribution to the literature on WMD proliferation in the Greater Middle East at the same time that it probes the domestic interests that have shaped several Middle Eastern governments quest for a nuclear silver bullet.

- Judith Yaphe, Senior Fellow, Institute for National Strategic Studies

This book is a welcome addition to the literature on WMD developments in the lc