On January 10, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announced that the Doomsday Clock–a symbolic clock face that estimates how close the world is to global disaster–would be set to five minutes to midnight. The clock’s new setting is a worrisome message from nuclear experts. Despite changes in policies by world powers to reduce missile stockpiles, many experts suspect Iran is building a nuclear weapons program even though officials in Tehran claim the country’s efforts are entirely peaceful and driven by domestic energy needs.
The United States and other members of the international community have called for a diplomatic solution to the recent ratcheting of tensions in the Middle East. But Israel, not willing to take any chances on its own security, has reportedly been deliberating the possibility of a unilateral military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities according to a recent New York Times Magazine article.
How dangerous are Iran’s intentions and how close are they to achieving their goal? Speakers at a German Marshall Fund talk in 2010 discussed President Obama’s efforts to engage the international community on issues such as Iran and also touched on Israel’s military options:
The Rise of Nuclear Iran from The German Marshall Fund on FORA.tv