June 26, 2025
Richard Nephew on the U.S. Military Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Richard Nephew, expert on sanctions and Iran’s nuclear program, joins Emily and Geoff to discuss the long history of U.S. policy towards Iran, the role of sanctions in constraining Iran’s nuclear program, and why the United States decided to proceed with military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He also explains why the next phase of Iran’s nuclear program might be the most dangerous.
Notes:
Richard Nephew, The Art of Sanctions: A View from the Field
Richard Nephew, “A Last Chance for Iran,” Foreign Affairs
Richard Nephew, “Can Israel Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program?” Foreign Affairs
Thomas Schelling, Arms and Influence
Suzanne Maloney, Political Economy of Iran Since the Revolution
More from CNAS
-
Unpacking the Trump Administration’s Plans for Venezuela’s Oil Revenue
Commentary
This article was originally published in Lawfare. Since removing Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro from power, President Trump has made clear that he intends to “get the oil...
By Alex Zerden
-
Sanctions by the Numbers: 2025 Year in Review
Reports
This installment of Sanctions by the Numbers examines the United States’ use of financial sanctions and entity-based export controls...
By Eleanor Hume & Kyle Rutter
-
Trump's Davos Speech
Video
Edward Fishman, CNAS adjunct senior fellow, joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to discuss the Davos forum, and President Trump's claims that only the U.S. can protec...
By Edward Fishman
-
Washington’s New China Tech Strategy
Podcast
Mike joins Emily Kilcrease, senior fellow and director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, to unpack how U.S. national se...
By Emily Kilcrease
