On 22–23 June, the first workshop of the two-year IISS project ‘Building a Common Approach to the Iranian Nuclear Problem’ was held at Arundel House. This project is jointly directed by Dr Dana Allin and Mr Mark Fitzpatrick. Its aim is to bring together the government and expert communities of Britain, France, Germany, the United States, China and Russia to help create common strategic cultures and perspectives on the threat posed by proliferation in Iran, and strategies for transatlantic as well as Security Council action.
The workshop was well attended by participants from a wide range of
academic, governmental and diplomatic backgrounds. The workshop was
organised into five sessions. These sessions consisted of presentations
by panel members, followed by discussion and debate from the floor.
They dealt with ‘the shadow of Iraq’ on the current Iranian crisis; how
internal political dynamics might affect Iran’s decision-making;
assessments of possible timelines and the scale of the threat posed by
a nuclear-capable Iran; and potential policy options. The workshop
produced a stimulating and useful exchange of views within a broad
group of experts familiar with the complexities associated with the
Iranian crisis.
